The Mental Health (Care & Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003: Roles and Responsibilities

The Mental Health (Care & Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003 has defined a number of key roles for those involved in the detention process, including the following:

• An ‘Approved Medical Practitioner’ (AMP) is a psychiatrist, who has been accredited by undertaking special training on the Mental Health Act (i.e. Section 22 approval).
• A ‘Mental Health Officer’ (MHO) is a social worker who has special training and experience in working with people who have a mental illness, learning disability or related condition.
• The ‘Named Person’ is someone nominated by the patient to support them and protect their interests. The Named Person can be a relative or close friend.
• The Responsible Medical Officer (RMO) is a Consultant Psychiatrist who is in charge of the patient’s ongoing care and treatment.
• A Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP) is a Consultant Psychiatrist appointed by the Mental Welfare Commission to provide consent to treatment under the Mental Health Act.