The aim of this guide is to set out the main provisions of the Act and the associated secondary legislation, as they will stand at 3 November 2008 (which is when the majority of the amendments made by the Mental Health Act 2007 take effect).

The reference guide replaces the Memorandum on Parts I to VI, VIII and X of the Act last published by the Department of Health and the Welsh Office in 1998 (but the reference guide is only about the Act as it applies in England).

Download Reference Guide to the Mental Health Act 1983 (PDF, 1676K).
Hard copies can also be purchased from TSO, priced £19.50.

The National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU) is the agency charged with supporting the implementation of mental health policy in England by the Department of Health in collaboration with the NHS, Local Authorities and other major stakeholders.