Section 12 policy for trainees
This policy was approved by the School Board in November 2009
MHA assessments by Specialty Trainees in Psychiatry: Practice Guideline
The assessment of patients and the making of formal recommendations for detention under the Mental Health Act (MHA) is a key skill required of senior psychiatrists. Experience of assessment under appropriate supervision is therefore an essential component of training.
Higher trainees (ST4-6) should all apply for recognition by the Secretary of State as having particular expertise in diagnosis and treatment of mental disorder (Section 12(2) approval). This permits them to undertake formal MHA assessments (often jointly with an Approved Social Worker - ASW) and to make specialist recommendation for detention. Trainees should actively seek such experiences as a necessary part of their training and should discuss such experiences as part of educational and clinical supervision sessions.
Local authorities and health authorities maintain a list of Section 12(2) approved doctors who may be called upon when an assessment is required. Trainees may choose to have their name on
that list and to have their contact details made available to ASWs seeking an approved doctor. However they should be careful not to compromise probity or ethical standards.
Trainees are formally contracted to provide a clinical service within their placement both during normal working hours and when on-call. This clinical service includes MHA assessments as necessary, e.g. within local Accident&Emergency departments, local police stations, home visits within the area served, etc.. The parameters of these should be discussed with the educational supervisor as part of the induction to the placement.
The provision within normal working hours or when on-call of MHA assessments outside of these parameters is not acceptable practice. It takes the trainees away from their contracted duties within their normal place of work and makes them unavailable for emergencies. It amounts to unauthorised absence from work and as such could lay a trainee open to disciplinary proceedings.
The provision outside of normal working hours and when not on-call of MHA assessments is a matter between the trainee and the requesting ASW. However trainees should be aware that undertaking such assessments and making recommendations for detention does constitute unsupervised independent practice at a career stage before award of their Certificate of Completed Training (CCT), notwithstanding their approval within Section 12(2) MHA.