The A6 Section 3 form plays a pivotal role under the Mental Health Act 1983, facilitating the admission of individuals for treatment by an approved mental health professional (AMHP). This form, designed for use in specific circumstances, requires careful completion by the AMHP, who acts on behalf of a local social services authority and holds the necessary approval. It starts with the AMHP applying for a patient's admission to a hospital for treatment, ensuring adherence to the defined protocols of Part 2 of the Mental Health Act. The form mandates the AMHP to state their authority and seek to establish communication with the patient's nearest relative, highlighting the law's emphasis on considering the patient's social connections during the admission process. Depending on the situation, the AMHP must document the consultation with the nearest relative or provide a rationale for the inability to consult, ensuring every decision prioritizes the patient's best interests and legal rights. Completing this form involves confirming that a patient has been seen by the AMHP within 14 days prior to the application, affirming the necessity of detention for treatment after a personal interview with the patient, and relying on two medical recommendations. These procedural steps underscore the delicate balance the Mental Health Act seeks between the need for treatment and the protection of patients' rights, making the completion of the A6 Section 3 form a crucial step in the process of care for individuals experiencing severe mental health challenges.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | Form A6 Section 3 |
| Form Length | 3 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 45 sec |
| Other names | A6, consultation, practitioners, accordance |
Form A6 Regulation 4(1)(c)(ii) |
Mental Health Act 1983 |
Section 3 – application by an approved mental health professional for admission for treatment
To the managers of (name and address of hospital)
I (PRINT your full name and address)
apply for the admission of (PRINT full name and address of patient)
for treatment in accordance with Part 2 of the Mental Health Act 1983.
I am acting on behalf of (name of local social services authority)
and am approved to act as an approved mental health professional for the purposes of the Act by (delete as appropriate)
that authority
(name of local social services authority that approved you, if different)
Complete the following where consultation with the nearest relative has taken place.
Complete (a) or (b) and delete the other.
(a)I have consulted (PRINT full name and address)
who to the best of my knowledge and belief is the patient’s nearest relative within the meaning of the Act.
(b)I have consulted (PRINT full name and address)
who I understand has been authorised by a county court / the patient’s nearest relative* to exercise the functions under the Act of the patient’s nearest relative. (* Delete the phrase which does not apply)
That person has not notified me or the local social services authority on whose behalf I am acting that he or she objects to this application being made.
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Complete the following where the nearest relative has not been consulted. Delete whichever two of (a), (b) and (c) do not apply.
(a)I have been unable to ascertain who is this patient’s nearest relative within the meaning of the Act.
(b)To the best of my knowledge and belief this patient has no nearest relative within the meaning of the Act.
(c)I understand that (PRINT full name and address)
is
(i)this patient’s nearest relative within the meaning of the Act,
(ii)authorised to exercise the functions of this patient’s nearest relative under the Act,
(Delete either (i) or (ii))
but in my opinion it is not reasonably practicable/would involve unreasonable delay (delete as appropriate) to consult that person before making this application, because –
(If you need to continue on a separate sheet please indicate here ( ) and attach that sheet to this form)
The remainder of this form must be completed in all cases.
I saw the patient on
// (date)
which was within the period of 14 days ending on the day this application is completed.
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I have interviewed the patient and l am satisfied that detention in a hospital is in all the circumstances of the case the most appropriate way of providing the care and medical treatment of which the patient stands in need.
This application is founded on two medical recommendations in the prescribed form.
If neither of the medical practitioners had previous acquaintance with the patient before making their recommendations, please explain why you could not get a recommendation from a medical practitioner who did have previous acquaintance with the patient –
(If you need to continue on a separate sheet please indicate here ( |
) and attach that sheet to this form) |
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Signed |
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Date |
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