Explanatory note

This Order revokes and replaces the Mental Health (Nurses) Order 1983. It prescribes the classes of nurse empowered under section 5(4) of the Mental Health Act 1983 (“the 1983 Act”) to detain, for up to six hours, a patient who is receiving treatment for mental disorder as a hospital in-patient. The Order reflects a change to the name by which “mental handicap nursing” is known, to “learning disabilities nursing”, and a consequent change to the description of certain nurses in the register of qualified nurses, midwives and health visitors, under the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors (Miscellaneous Amendments) Amendment Order 1998. It also extends the categories of nurse who are prescribed for the purposes of section 5(4) of the 1983 Act.

This Order imposes no costs on business.