http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/20/section/118Mental Health Act 1983An Act to consolidate the law relating to mentally disordered persons.1983-05-09texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-04-09Expert Participation2026-04-06 Part VIII Miscellaneous Functions of Local Authorities and the Secretary of State Functions of the Secretary of State Code of practice.1181The Secretary of State shall prepare, and from time to time revise, a code of practice—afor the guidance of registered medical practitioners , approved clinicians , managers and staff of hospitals , independent hospitals and care homes and approved mental health professionals in relation to the admission of patients to hospitals and registered establishments under this Act and to guardianship and community patients under this Act; andbfor the guidance of registered medical practitioners and members of other professions in relation to the medical treatment of patients suffering from mental disorder.1AThe Code which must be prepared, and from time to time revised, in relation to Wales shall also be for the guidance of independent mental health advocates appointed under arrangements made under section 130E below2The code shall, in particular, specify forms of medical treatment in addition to any specified by regulations made for the purposes of section 57 above which in the opinion of the Secretary of State give rise to special concern and which should accordingly not be given by a registered medical practitioner unless the patient has consented to the treatment (or to a plan of treatment including that treatment) and a certificate in writing as to the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(a) and (b) of that section has been given by another registered medical practitioner, being a practitioner appointed for the purposes of this section by the regulatory authority.2AThe code shall include a statement of the principles which the Secretary of State thinks should inform decisions under this Act.2BIn preparing the statement of principles the Secretary of State shall, in particular, ensure that each of the following matters is addressed—arespect for patients' past and present wishes and feelings,brespect for diversity generally including, in particular, diversity of religion, culture and sexual orientation (within the meaning of section 35 of the Equality Act 2006),cminimising restrictions on liberty,dinvolvement of patients in planning, developing and delivering care and treatment appropriate to them,eavoidance of unlawful discrimination,feffectiveness of treatment,gviews of carers and other interested parties,hpatient wellbeing and safety, andipublic safety.2CThe Secretary of State shall also have regard to the desirability of ensuring—athe efficient use of resources, andbthe equitable distribution of services.2DIn performing functions under this Act persons mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b) and subsection (1A) shall have regard to the code.3Before preparing the code or making any alteration in it the Secretary of State shall consult such bodies as appear to him to be concerned.4The Secretary of State shall lay copies of the code and of any alteration in the code before Parliament; and if either House of Parliament passes a resolution requiring the code or any alteration in it to be withdrawn the Secretary of State shall withdraw the code or alteration and, where he withdraws the code, shall prepare a code in substitution for the one which is withdrawn.5No resolution shall be passed by either House of Parliament under subsection (4) above in respect of a code or alteration after the expiration of the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which a copy of the code or alteration was laid before that House; but for the purposes of this subsection no account shall be taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.6The Secretary of State shall publish the code as for the time being in force.7The Care Quality Commission may at any time make proposals to the Secretary of State as to the content of the code of practice which the Secretary of State must prepare, and from time to time revise, under this section in relation to England.S. 118(1)(a) modified (3.11.2008) by The Mental Health Act 2007 (Commencement No. 6 and After-care under Supervision: Savings, Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1210), art. 6(k)Words in s. 118(1)(a) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 14(2), 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)Words in s. 118(1) substituted (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, s. 116, Sch. 4 para. 9(6)(a); S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 4 and S.I. 2002/1493, art. 4); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(d) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3 and art. 3(4)-(10))Words in s. 118(1)(a) substituted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 21, 56, Sch. 2 para. 9 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(d) (with art. 3, Sch.); S.|. 2008/2561, {art. 2(b)} (with art. 3, Sch.)Words in s. 118(1) substituted (1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, ss. 116, 122, Sch. 4 para. 9(6)(b); S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(3) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 4 and S.I. 2002/1493, art. 4); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(d) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3 and art. 3(4)-(10))Words in s. 118(1)(a) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 52, ss. 1(2), 7(2), Sch. 1, para. 16Words in s. 118(1)(a) substituted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 3 para. 25 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1210, art. 2(b) (with art. 4)S. 118(2): functions transferred (1.4.2009) by Health and Social Care Act 2008 (c. 14), ss. 52(1)(g), 170 (with s. 96); S.I. 2009/462, arts. 1(1)(b), 2, Sch. 1 para. 20Words in s. 118(2) substituted (1.4.2009) by Health and Social Care Act 2008 (c. 14), ss. 52, 170, Sch. 3 para. 6(2); S.I. 2009/462, arts. 1(1)(b), 2, Sch. 1 para. 33S. 118(2A)-(2D) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 8, 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)S. 118(7) inserted (1.4.2009) by Health and Social Care Act 2008 (c. 14), ss. 52, 170, Sch. 3 para. 6(3); S.I. 2009/462, arts. 1(1)(b), 2, Sch. 1 para. 33S. 118(1A) inserted (3.1.2012 for specified purposes, 2.4.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010 (nawm 7), ss. 39(2), 55(3); S.I. 2011/3046, arts. 2(f), 3(f) (with art. 5)Words in s. 118(2D) inserted (3.1.2012 for specified purposes, 2.4.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010 (nawm 7), ss. 39(3), 55(3); S.I. 2011/3046, arts. 2(f), 3(f) (with art. 5)