• Accessibility Features
• Text Size Decrease
• Text Size Increase

FAQs

Back

Below is the information on the requested FAQ. Click the Back button to return to the list of FAQs.

25 October 2006

Module 3: Admission of an Adult

Who will be considered an Authorised Officer under the MHA 2001? Will they be avialable 24 hours a day 7 days a week?

"Authorised Officer means an officer of a health board who is a prescribed rank or grade and who is authorised by the chief executive officer to excerices the powers conferred on authorised officers" i.e. to make an application under Section 9 of the Mental Health Act, 2001

The rank or grade will be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister for Health And Children.

The HSE is recommending that the following grades of staff be designated as Authorised Officers by way of Ministerial Regulations within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 2001:

 

1.      General Managers

2.      Grade VIII

3.      Psychiatric Nurses

4.      Occupational Therapist

5.      Psychologist

6.      Social Workers

 

It is intended that the designation of General Managers and Grade VIII staff will facilitate interim arrangements pending the full implementation of an Authorised Officer service.

 

It is intended that this service will provide an accessible 24 hours service 7 days a week all year around.