The register, administered by a panel drawn from it membership, is maintained by NHS South West Strategic Health Authority on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health . The approval should only be used within the limits of your professional competence.

Applicants must meet the following criteria before approval/re-approval:-

1. Satisfy the GMC Standards of Fitness to Practice
2. Have attended a Section 12(2) induction/refresher training course of equivalent standard to that organised by the South West panel within one year prior to making the application.
3. Have an up-to-date PDP/GP appraisal record/be Registered for CPD.
4. Supply the names of two Section 12(2) approved Consultant who have been in their current substantive or Locum post for at least six months and who are prepared to act as referees.
5. Satisfy at least one of the following sets of additional criteria:

Criteria A

• Be a member or fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, or the Royal College of General Practitioners and
• Have three years equivalent whole time experience in a substantive, salaried or principal post where there was substantial experience in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorder. Such experience may have been recognised by the award of a higher degree or diploma relevant to mental health work. At least six months of such experience must have been in an approved supervised psychiatric training post and accredited training department; or satisfy the criteria for GPwSI in mental health

Criteria B

• Have four years whole time equivalent experience in a substantive salaried or principal post where there was substantial experience in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorder. Such experience may have been recognised by the award of a higher degree or diploma relevant to mental health work. At least six months of such experience must be in an approved psychiatric supervised psychiatric training post and accredited training department or satisfy the criteria for GPwSI and
• Attend four Mental Health Act assessments supervised by a Section 12(2) approved Consultant Psychiatrist and acheive satisfactory reports.

Criteria C

• Either – be included on the Specialist Register of the GMC as a Specialist in Psychiatry (or equivalent speciality) or

- hold a GMC licence to practice as a Consultant Psychiatrist or

- hold a substantive post in the National Health Service as a Consultant Psychiatrist under the NHS International Fellowship Programme and

• Attend four Mental Health Act assessments supervised by a Section 12 Consultant Psychiatrist and achieve satisfactory reports.

Criteria D

Section 12(2) practitioners seeking re-approval

• Must complete an application form applying for re-approval
• Must provide evidence of attendance at a recognised training course within the current period of approval
• References will routinely be taken and must be satisfactory
• Must provide written confirmation of one or more of the following.
  • Confirmation of active involvement as a medical member of a Mental Health Review Tribunal.
  • Confirmation of furnishing reports for Courts
  • Undertaking at least two Mental Health Act assessments within the previous calendar year.
  • Confirmation that, in the course of ordinary clinical duties, they have considered the use of the Mental Health Act in discussion with patients, their relatives or fellow professionals.
  • Confirmation of having managed a caseload as a Responsible Consultant where patients, including those in aftercare will at some point in their care pathway, have been made subject to formal detention.
• Locums will be limited to annual approval against the above criteria.
• Practitioners over 65 will be limited to two years approval against the above criteria. In line with Government guidelines we can only give one years approval for those over 69.