Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983 requires that, in those cases where two medical recommendations for the compulsory admission of a mentally disordered person to hospital, or for reception into guardianship, are required, one of the two must be made by a practitioner approved for the purposes of that section by the Secretary of State.  Approval is also required for practitioners providing reports or giving evidence under Part III of the Act. 

Winterhead Ltd has the statutory responsibility under the delegated authority of the Secretary of State to approve suitable practitioners to act as Section 12(2) doctor.  Approval is not automatic.

Doctors who wish to apply for section 12 Approval  please  see Mental Health Act Instructions HERE for full requirements.

First Time Applications

Doctors applying for first time s12 approval who are members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists must - attend a two day validated section 12 induction course within 12 months of the date of application , complete an application form without error and in full,  submit with evidence of up to date CPD, full CV, photo and induction course certificate.  References taken, checks are run with GMC and NHS England, and the application is sent to the England South Approval Panels for their consideration as to your suitability for s12 approval.  The process take a minimum of 8 weeks and you will be notified in writing of the outcome. 

GPs, FMEs and doctors who are not member of the RCPsych must attend a two day validated section 12 induction course within 12 months of the date of application, complete an application form without error and in full,  undertake two supervised mental health act assessments, submit with evidence of up to date CPD, full CV, photo and induction course certificate.  References taken, checks are run with GMC and NHS England, and the application is sent to the England South Approval Panels for their consideration as to your suitability for s12 approval.  The process take a minimum of 8 weeks. You will be notified of the outcome in writing.  Approval is NOT automatic.

For instructions open link  HERE

For Application Form open link HERE

For Supervised Assessment forms open link HERE

For the Powers of the s12 doctor open link HERE

Doctors applying for section 12 re-approval

All Doctors applying for re-approval must - attend a one day validated s12 refresher course within 12 months prior to application , complete an application form without error and in full,  submit with evidence of up to date CPD, full CV, photo and refresher course certificate.  References taken, checks are run with GMC and NHS England, and the application is sent to the England South Approval Panels for their consideration as to your suitability for s12 approval.  The process take a minimum of 8 weeks you will be notified of the outcome in writing.  

For Application Form open link HERE

For Instructions open link HERE

For the Powers of the S12 doctor open link HERE