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Mental Health Act 2007: Patients on After-Care Under Supervision (ACUS): Transitional Arrangements.

After-care under supervision (supervised discharge) under section 25A of the Mental Health Act 1983 will be abolished by the Mental Health Act 2007 with effect from 3 November 2008. The Mental Health Act 2007 (Commencement No. 6 and After-care under Supervision: Savings, Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2008 (“the Order”) specifies statutory requirements for dealing with patients who are on after-care under supervision (ACUS) at that time.

The following guidance has been prepared by the Department of Health to assist professionals and those involved in the provision of after-care under supervision in implementing the Order, and may be helpful to responsible after-care bodies in ensuring that the requirements of the Order are followed.

The guidance covers the effect of the Order, the duty of the Community Responsible Medical Officer (CRMO) to make a determination, the options available to the CRMO and the next steps to be taken. The special arrangements for patients whose after-care under supervision  (ACUS) expires around 3 November 2008 are set out. The modifications to the Mental Health Act 1983, as amended, to allow former ACUS patients to go onto supervised community treatment (SCT) are also explained.

• Download ACUS Transition Arrangements (PDF, 78K)