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Transitional Training Guide Introductory Training for Mental Health Officers and Other Practitioners - Reader 1

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MENTAL HEALTH (CARE AND TREATMENT) (SCOTLAND) ACT 2003 TRANSITIONAL TRAINING GUIDE INTRODUCTORY TRAINING FOR MENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS AND OTHER PRACTITIONERS

ANNEX A

A Summary of the Principles

The principles place a requirement on those people who have what we have called a formal role to discharge any function under the Act. The requirement is that, in discharging his or her function, such a person has regards for:

  • The present and past wishes and feelings of the patient;

  • In so far as is practicable, the views of the patient's named person, carer and any guardian or welfare attorney;

  • The importance of the patient participating as fully as possible in the discharge of the function;

  • The importance of providing information and support for the patient, in the form that is most likely to be understood, to enable the patient to participate;

  • The importance of the range of options available in the patient's case;

  • The importance of providing the maximum benefit to the patient;

  • The importance of the patient's abilities, background and characteristics, including age, sex, sexual orientation, religious persuasion, racial origin, cultural and linguistic background and membership of any ethnic group;

  • The importance of providing appropriate services and continuing care to the patient; and

  • The needs and circumstances of the patient's carer, providing such information as might be needed to assist in the care of the patient.

The function must be discharged in a manner that:

  • Involves the minimum restriction on the freedom of the patient that appears to be necessary in the circumstances;

  • Encourages equal opportunities; and

  • If the patient is a child (under 18 years old) best secures his or her welfare.

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Page updated: Thursday, June 9, 2005