Mental Health Act 1983

145 Interpretation. U.K.

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

• “absent without leave” has the meaning given to it by section 18 above and related expressions [F1 (including expressions relating to a patient's liability to be returned to a hospital or other place)] shall be construed accordingly;

• “application for admission for assessment” has the meaning given in section 2 above;

• “application for admission for treatment” has the meaning given in section 3 above;

• [F2 “ the appropriate tribunal ” has the meaning given by section 66(4) above; ]

• [F3 “ approved clinician ” means a person approved by the Secretary of State [F4 or another person by virtue of section 12ZA or 12ZB above] (in relation to England) or by the Welsh Ministers (in relation to Wales) to act as an approved clinician for the purposes of this Act; ]

• [F5 “ approved mental health professional ” has the meaning given in section 114 above; ]

• [F6 “ care home ” has the same meaning as in the Care Standards Act 2000 ]

• [F7 “ community patient ” has the meaning given in section 17A above; ]

• [F8 “community treatment order” and “the community treatment order” have the meanings given in section 17A above;]

• [F9 “ the community treatment period ” has the meaning given in section 20A above; ]

• F10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• [F11 “ high security psychiatric services ” has the same meaning as in the [F12 section 4 of the National Health Service Act 2006 or section 4 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 ] , ]

• “hospital” means—

(a) any health service hospital within the meaning of the [F13 National Health Service Act 2006 or the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006] ; and

(b) any accommodation provided by a local authority and used as a hospital by or on behalf of the Secretary of State under that Act;[F14 ; and

(c) any hospital as defined by section 206 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 which is vested in a Local Health Board;]

• “hospital within the meaning of Part II of this Act” has the meaning given in section 34 above;

• [F15 “ hospital direction ” has the meaning given in section 45A(3)(a) above; ]

• “hospital order” and “guardianship order” have the meanings respectively given in section 37 above;

• [F16 “independent hospital”—

(a) in relation to England, means a hospital as defined by section 275 of the National Health Service Act 2006 that is not a health service hospital as defined by that section, and

(b) in relation to Wales, has the same meaning as in the Care Standards Act 2000;]

• “interim hospital order” has the meaning given in section 38 above;

• [F15 “ limitation direction ” has the meaning given in section 45A(3)(b) above; ]

• [F17 “ Local Health Board ” means a Local Health Board established under section 11 of the National Health Services (Wales) Act 2006; ]

• [F18 “ local social services authority ” means—

(a) an authority in England which is a local authority for the purposes of Part 1 of the Care Act 2014, or

(b) an authority in Wales which is a local authority for the purposes of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.]

• “the managers” means—

(a) in relation to a hospital vested in the Secretary of State for the purposes of his functions under the [F19 the National Health Service Act 2006, or in the Welsh Ministers for the purposes of their functions under the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006,], and in relation to any accommodation provided by a local authority and used as a hospital by or on behalf of the Secretary of State under [F20 the National Health Service Act 2006, or of the Welsh Ministers under the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006,] [F21 the Secretary of State where the Secretary is responsible for the administration of the hospital or]the F22 ... F23 ... [F24 [F25 Local Health Board] or Special Health Authority] responsible for the administration of the hospital;

F26 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F27 (bb) in relation to a hospital vested in F28 ... a National Health Service trust, F29 . . . the trust]

[F30 (bc) in relation to a hospital vested in an NHS foundation trust, the trust;]

[F31 (bd) in relation to a hospital vested in a Local Health Board, the Board;]

[F32 (c) in relation to a registered establishment—

(i) if the establishment is in England, the person or persons registered as a service provider under Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in respect of the regulated activity (within the meaning of that Part) relating to the assessment or medical treatment of mental disorder that is carried out in the establishment, and

(ii) if the establishment is in Wales, the person or persons registered in respect of the establishment under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000;]

• and in this definition “hospital” means a hospital within the meaning of Part II of this Act;

• “medical treatment” includes nursing, [F33 psychological intervention and specialist mental health habilitation, rehabilitation and care (but see also subsection (4) below);]

• [F34 “ mental disorder ” has the meaning given in section 1 above (subject to [F35 section 86(4)]);]

• F36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• “nearest relative”, in relation to a patient, has the meaning given in Part II of this Act;

• “patient” F37 . . . means a person suffering or appearing to be suffering from mental disorder;

• F38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  • [F39 “ registered establishment ” has the meaning given in section 34 above; ]

  • F40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  • [F41 “ the regulatory authority ” means—

    (a)

    in relation to England, the Care Quality Commission;

    (b)

    in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers;]

  • [F42 “ the responsible hospital ” has the meaning given in section 17A above; ]

  • “restriction direction” has the meaning given to it by section 49 above;

  • “restriction order” has the meaning given to it by section 41 above;

  • [F43 “ Special Health Authority ” means a Special Health Authority established under [F44 section 28 of the National Health Service Act 2006, or section 22 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 ] ; ]

  • F45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  • F46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  • F47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  • F48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  • “transfer direction” has the meaning given to it by section 47 above.

[F49 (1AA) Where high security psychiatric services and other services are provided at a hospital, the part of the hospital at which high security psychiatric services are provided and the other part shall be treated as separate hospitals for the purposes of this Act.]

[F50 (1AB) References in this Act to appropriate medical treatment shall be construed in accordance with section 3(4) above.]

[F51 (1AC) References in this Act to an approved mental health professional shall be construed as references to an approved mental health professional acting on behalf of a local social services authority, unless the context otherwise requires.]

(1A) F52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F53 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) In relation to a person who is liable to be detained or subject to guardianship [F54 or a community patient] by virtue of an order or direction under Part III of this Act (other than under section 35, 36 or 38), any reference in this Act to any enactment contained in Part II of this Act or in section 66 or 67 above shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as it applies to that person by virtue of Part III of this Act.

[F55 (4) Any reference in this Act to medical treatment, in relation to mental disorder, shall be construed as a reference to medical treatment the purpose of which is to alleviate, or prevent a worsening of, the disorder or one or more of its symptoms or manifestations.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in definition of "absent without leave" in s. 145(1) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 3 para. 34(2) (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)

F2 Words in s. 145(1) inserted (3.11.2008) by The Transfer of Tribunal Functions Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2833), art. 6, Sch. 3 para. 66

F3 Definition of "approved clinician" in s. 145(1) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 14(5), 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)

F4 Words in definition of "approved clinician" in s. 145(1) inserted (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 38(4), 306(4); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

F5 Definition of "approved mental health professional" in s. 145(1) substituted (3.11.2008) for definition of "approved social worker" by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 21, 56, Sch. 2 para. 11(2) (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(d) (with art. 3, Sch.); S.I. 2008/2561, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)

F6 Definition of "care home" in s. 145(1) inserted (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, s. 116, Sch. 4 para. 9(10)(a); S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3) (subject to art. 4); S.I. 2002/920, reg. 3(3)(d) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3 and art. 3(4)-(10))

F7 Definition of "community patient" in s. 145(1) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 3 para. 34(3) (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)

F8 Definition of "community treatment order" in s. 145(1) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 3 para. 34(3) (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)

F9 Definition of "the community treatment period" in s. 145(1) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 3 para. 34(3) (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)

F10 Definition of "Health Authority" in s. 145(1) omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 70(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F11 Definition of "high security psychiatric services" in s. 145(1) inserted (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 8, s. 65, Sch. 4, para. 69(2)(a); S.I. 1999/2793, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. 3

F12 Words in definition of "high security psychiatric services" in s. 145(1) substituted (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 70(b) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F13 Words in definition of "hospital" para. (a) in s. 145(1) substituted (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), ({Sch. 1 para. 70(c)} (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F14 Words in definition of "hospital" in s. 145(1) inserted (1.10.2007) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 46(3)(a), 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2007/2798, art. 2(g)

F15 Definitions of “hospital direction” and “limitation direction” inserted (E.W but unlimited in so far as it confers a power or imposes a duty on a court-martial or a Standing Civilian Court) (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, s. 55, Sch. 4 para. 12(19) (with s. 57(4)(8); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2

F16 Definition of "independent hospital" in s. 145(1) substituted (1.10.2010) by The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Consequential Amendments No.2) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/813), arts. 1(1), 5(5)(a)

F17 Definition of "Local Health Board" in s. 145(1) inserted (1.4.2007) by The References to Health Authorities Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/961), art. 3, Sch. para. 13(13)(i)

F18 Definition "local social services authority" in s. 145(1) substituted (1.4.2015) by Care Act 2014 (c. 23), ss. 75(13), 127(1); S.I. 2015/993, art. 7(1)(a) (with art. 7(5)) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2015/995)

F19 Words in definition of "the managers" in s. 145(1) substituted (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 70(d)(i) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F20 Words in definition of "the managers" in s. 145(1) substituted (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), s. 2, Sch. 1 para. 70(d)(ii) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F21 Words in definition of "the managers" in s. 145(1) inserted (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 31(1)(a)(i); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

F22 Words in definition of "the managers" in s. 145(1) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 31(1)(a)(ii); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

F23 Words in definition of "the managers" in s. 145(1) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 31(1)(a)(iii); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

F24 Words in definition of “the managers” in s. 145(1) substituted (28.6.1995 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 17, ss. 2(1)(3), 8, Sch. 1 para. 107(14)(b)

F25 Words in definition of "the managers" in s. 145(1) substituted (1.4.2007) by The References to Health Authorities Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/961), art. 3, Sch. para. 13(13)(ii)

F26 Definition of "the managers" para. (b) in s. 145(1) repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 8, ss. 41(2), 65(2), Sch. 5; S.I. 1999/2793, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. 3

F27 Definition of “the managers” para. (bb) in s. 145(1) inserted by National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19, SIF 113:2), s. 66(1), Sch. 9 para. 24(9)

F28 Words in definition of "the managers" in s. 145(1) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 31(1)(b); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

F29 Words in definition of "the managers" in s. 145(1) repealed (E.W.) (14.4.1994) by 1994 c. 6, ss. 1, 2(2)(3)

F30 S. 145(1)(bc) inserted (1.4.2004) by Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), ss. 34, 199, Sch. 4 para. 57; S.I. 2004/759, art.2

F31 Words in definition of "the managers" in s.145(1) inserted (1.10.2007) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 46(3)(b), 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2007/2798, art. 2(g)

F32 Definition of "the managers" para. (c) in s. 145(1) substituted (1.10.2010) by The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Consequential Amendments No.2) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/813), arts. 1(1), 5(5)(b)

F33 Words in definition of "medical treatment" in s. 145(1) substituted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 7(2), 56; S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)

F34 Definition of "mental disorder" in s. 145(1) substituted (3.11.2008) for the definitions of "mental disorder", "severe mental impairment", "mental impairment" and "psychopathic disorder" by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 1, 56, Sch. 1 para. 17 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(a) (with art. 3, Sch.)

F35 Words in definition of "mental disorder" in s. 145(1) substituted (28.4.2013) by Mental Health (Discrimination) Act 2013 (c. 8), s. 4(1), Sch. para. 1(1)

F36 Definition of "mental nursing home" in s 145(1) repealed (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, s. 117(2), Sch. 6; S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3) (subject to art. 4); S.I. 2002/920, reg. 3(3)(g) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3 and art. 3(5)-(10))

F37 Words in definition of "patient" in s. 145(1) repealed (1.10.2007) by Mental Capacity Act 2005 (c. 9), ss. 67(1)(2), 68(1)-(3) (with ss. 27, 28, 29, 62), Sch. 6 para. 29(7),{ Sch 7}; S.I. 2007/1897, art. 2(d)

F38 Definition "Primary Care Trust" in s. 145(1) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 31(1)(c); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

F39 Definition of "registered establishment" in s. 145(1) inserted (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, s. 116, Sch. 4 para. 9(10)(d); S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3) (subject to art. 4); S.I. 2002/920, reg. 3(3)(d) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3 and art. 3(4)-(10))

F40 Definition of "the responsible after-care bodies" in s. 145(1) repealed (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 55, 56, Sch. 11 Pt. 5; S.I. 2008/1210, art. 2(d) (with art. 4)

F41 Definition of "the regulatory authority" in s. 145(1) inserted (1.4.2009) by Health and Social Care Act 2008 (c. 14), ss. 52, 170, Sch. 3 para. 13; S.I. 2009/462, arts. 1(1)(b), 2, Sch. 1 para. 33

F42 Definition of "the responsible hospital" in s. 145(1) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 3 para. 34(3) (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)

F43 Definition of “Special Health Authority” in s. 145(1) inserted (28.6.1995 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 17, ss. 2(1)(3), 8, Sch. 1 para. 107(14)(c)

F44 Words in definition of "Special Health Authority" in s. 145(1) substituted (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 70(f) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F45 Definition of "special hospital" in s. 145(1) repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 8, s. 65, Sch. 4, para. 69(2)(b), Sch. 5; S.I. 1999/2793, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. 3

F46 Definition "Strategic Health Authority" in s. 145(1) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 31(1)(d); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

F47 Definition of "supervision application" in s. 145(1) repealed (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 55, 56, Sch. 11 Pt. 5; S.I. 2008/1210, art. 2(d) (with art. 4)

F48 Definition of "standard scale" in s. 145(1) repealed (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 50, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. XIV Group. 2.

F49 S. 145(1AA) inserted (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 8, S. 65(1), Sch. 4, para. 69(3); S.I. 1999/2793, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. 3

F50 S. 145(1AB) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 4(10), 56; S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)

F51 S. 145(1AC) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 21, 56, Sch. 2 para. 11(3) (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(d) (with art. 3, Sch.); S.I. 2008/2561, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)

F52 S. 145(1A) repealed (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 55, 56, Sch. 11 Pt. 5; S.I. 2008/1210, art. 2(d) (with art. 4)

F53 S. 145(2) repealed (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 50, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. XIV Gp. 2.

F54 Words in s. 145(3) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 3 para. 34(4) (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)

F55 S. 145(4) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 7(3), 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)