HC Deb 30 March 1999 vol 328 cc649-50W
33. Mrs. Brinton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will include in the code of practice under the Mental Health Acts a requirement for mental health institutions to have procedures for dealing with medical emergencies. [77731]

Mr. Hutton

The Mental Health Act 1983 code of practice provides guidance on the treatment, care and management of patients, with respect to their mental disorder, who are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. The code does not provide detailed guidance on procedures for dealing with medical emergencies in mental health institutions. It is for each mental health trust to ensure that policies and procedures are in place for dealing with medical emergencies involving all psychiatric patients, not just those detained under the Act.