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Guidance for the implementation of changes to police powers and places of safety provisions in the Mental Health Act 1983
- Authors:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department of Health, GREAT BRITAIN. Home Office
- Publishers:
- Great Britain. Department of Health, Great Britain. Home Office
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 33
- Place of publication:
- London
This guidance provides advice on putting into practice changes to the provisions on police powers and places of safety, in the Mental Health Act 1983. The changes relate to police powers to act in respect of people experiencing a mental health crisis to ensure their care and safety. The changes include that a police station can no longer be used as a place of safety for anyone under 18; that a police station can only be used as a place of safety for adults in specific circumstances; and a reduction of the maximum detention period to 24 hours. Sections covered in the document are: powers to remove to, or keep at, a place of safety; places that can be used as a place of safety; arrival and stay at places of safety, including period of detention; and suggestions for implementing and monitoring the changes in local areas. The final section provides a listing of relevant legislation, national standards and guidance, and national data sources. The document will be of particular interest to the police, mental health services, clinical commissioning groups and ambulance services. The guidance in not statutory. It is relevant to both England and Wales. (Edited publisher abstract)