Mental health, medication and the law

Mental Heath Act 1983 The administration of medication to detained patients is subject to Parts IV and 4A of the Act. Sections 57, 58 and 58A of the Act set out the types of medical treatment to which special rules and procedures apply, including the need for certificates from a second opinion appointed doctor (SOAD) approving the treatment. The certificate states which psychotropic medications are to be given and whether the doses conform to the British National Formulary (BNF) guideline doses.