Mental Health Officer training
In 2004, the Scottish Executive commissioned the Robert Gordon University to produce material for a five day training course for mental health officers. The material is geared primarily to assisting mental health officers gain knowledge of their new statutory roles and duties which have been expanded considerably in the new Act. The material, however, is organised in such a way as to be of value to others involved in implementing the new Act.
The training booklets, which include case studies, briefing papers and core powerpoint slides for use in introducing the Act are available to download from the MHO training section.
Other documents relating to mental health officer services are:
Requirements for appointment as Mental Health Officers
Approved Medical Practitioner training
Training for Approved Medical Practitioners is in two parts. The first part takes the form of a day of self directed web based learning which ends with a self administered 12 question test which the psychiatrist must pass. To access this test, please see the NHS Education Scotland Approved Medical Practitioner site.
The second part of the training is a one day workshop based course covering all aspects of the Mental Health Act in great detail. A training booklet will be made available to all psychiatrists on the training day.
Other documents relating to approved medical practitioner services are:
Education for frontline staff
In September 2004, the NES project web-based education and training materials went live. The website includes case-based scenarios, questions and answers and links to the Codes of Practice and the Act which is accessible to all health service staff. The materials are designed to raise awareness and help inform decision making in relation to the implications of the Act. Further information can be found on the NHS Education Scotland website.
More recently, an e-learning course was launched to support the implementation of the new Act and to help prepare front-line staff to understand and work safely and effectively within the new legislation. The materials are also useful for others with a mental health interest. They are available on the NHS Education Scotland E-learning website and also in paper format with an accompanying CD-ROM.