Mental Health

The Mental Health Act 1968 and Code of Practice 2020

The Mental Health Act 1968 is the primary piece of legislation that outlines the rights, requirements and restrictions for care and treatment for people with a mental disorder. Primarily, the Act sets the requirements for detaining a person if assessd as a risk to themselves or others due to a mental disorder. The 2019 Amendments updated the Act with expanded treatment options, consent requirements, and the establishment of a code of practice. 

The

 outlines what is expected of all registered medical practitioners and other health professionals when treating and caring for patients with a mental disorder. The Code sets 9 key principles that must be upheld when providing services under the Act and details practice standards for:

a) community treatment orders;

b) obtaining consent to treatment; and

c) assessing capacity to consent to treatment.

The Code was created by the Bermuda Hospitals Board under the direction of the Minister of Health, with the first edition published in January 2021. The cover art for the Code of Practice is Mo’ Betta Blues by Lynwood Richardson, 2019.

For questions about the Code contact: MHA@bhb.bm

To access the required forms associated with the Code contact: (441) 236-3770. 

For more infomration on BHB provided mental health services go to: https://bermudahospitals.bm/services-listing/mental-health/mid-atlantic-wellness-institute/

The Mental Health Review Tribunal

The Mental Health Review Tribunal is established under Section 5 of the Mental Health Act 1968 and considers applications under Part V of the Act in relation to people who have been detained.

Visit our Health Boards, Councils and Committees page for details on other boards, councils and committees.