| Applicant, the |
The patient's nearest relative or an Approved Social Worker, or a person appointed by the County Court to act as the nearest relative |
| Approved Social Worker (ASW) |
A social worker specially trained in dealing with persons suffering from mental disorder, and appointed to act as an ASW for the purposes of the Order |
| Trust |
A Health and Social Care Trust |
| Board |
Regional Health and Social Care Board |
| Code, the |
"Mental Health *Northern Ireland) Order 1986 - The Code of Practice" prepared in accordance with Article 111 of the Order by the Department of Health and Social Services 1992 |
| Department |
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Northern Ireland |
| Detained Patient |
Detained patients are patients who have been assessed by a approved medical doctor as meeting the criteria for detention for assessment or treatment in hospital under the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986 , following the procedures required by the legislation to do so. The purpose of detention for treatment in hospital is to allow for the implementation of the treatment and care plan agreed as part of the assessment in hospital, in circumstances where the patient meets the criteria for detention for treatment. |
| Forms (numbered) |
References to "Forms" are references to the forms prescribed by Regulation 7 of the Mental Health (Nurses, Guardianship, Consent to Treatment and Prescribed Forms) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986 as amended by the Mental Health (Nurses, Guardianship, Consent to Treatment and Prescribed Forms)(Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992. A complete set of the forms is also contained in Appendix 1 of the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986 Guide issued by DHSSPS. These are listed on page 74/75 of the Guide (see Appendix 1). |
| Guardianship |
The purpose of Guardianship is primarily to ensure the welfare (rather than the medical treatment) of a patient in a community setting where this cannot be achieved without the use of some or all of the powers vested by guardianship. It provides a less restrictive means of offering assistance to a person than, and should be considered as an alternative to, detention in hospital. It enables the establishment of an authoritative framework for working with a patient with a minimum of constraint to help him achieve as independent life a life as possible within the community. Arrangements for giving effects to guardianship should not be unnecessarily complicated. The objective should be simply to ensure that guardianship is used properly and in a positive and flexible manner. |
| Guide, the |
"The Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 – A Guide" published by the Department in 1986 |
| Medical Practitioner |
A fully registered person within the meaning of the Medical Act 1983. |
| Medical treatment |
Medical treatment is broadly defined to include nursing, and also care and training under medical supervision |
| Mental disorder |
This is defined in Article 3 of the Order, and discussed in paragraphs 8 to 14 of the Guide |
| Mental Health Review Tribunal |
Appeal tribunal constituted in accordance with Article 70 of the Order |
| Nearest Relative |
This is defined in Article 32 of the Order by reference to a list of relationships, a caring relative taking priority over a non-caring relative, whatever his position on the list. |
| NIAS |
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service |
| Order, The |
The Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 |
| Patient |
A person suffering or appearing to suffer from mental disorder |
| PSNI |
Police Service Northern Ireland |
| Regulations |
A number of regulations (also known as Statutory Rules) have been made under powers given in the Order. The most important, for the purposes of the Code, The Mental Health (Nurses, Guardianship, Consent to Treatment and Prescribed Forms) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 |
| Responsible Authority |
For a hospital patient the Health and Social Care Trust administrating the hospital or for guardianship the Health and Social Care Trust in which the patient resides. |
| Responsible Medical Officer |
The Part II doctor in charge of the patient's assessment or treatment or who provides certain medical recommendations required by the Order for the purposes of guardianship |
| Regulation Quality and Improvement Authority |
The Regulatory body whose responsibilities include those statutory functions previously carried out the Mental Health Commission as established under Article 85 of the Order |