This module is an introduction to the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, the legislation governing the care, treatment and protection of persons with a mental disorder in Northern Ireland.
It will be of interest to people who use mental health services and their families, carers and professionals with duties and responsibilities under the legislation including general practitioners, health and social care professionals, police and ambulance personnel.
In this module we consider why we need mental health legislation, what is contained in the legislation, the purpose of it, who it applies to and the principles and additional legislation which inform practice.
Funding
Funding from GAIN (the Guidelines and Audit Implementation Network), RQIA (the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority) and PSNI (the Police Service of Northern Ireland) has enabled this module to be freely accessible until January 2027. RCPsych retained full editorial control, and the content was developed and managed in line with our standard processes.
Availability
We are pleased to offer this module free for those without a paid subscription until 3 January 2027. If you are a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, you can log in straight away using the same username and password with which you access the members' area of the College website. Otherwise, all you need to do is register with the College.
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Please note that this module has not been updated to reflect the revised Code of Practice (due to be launched on 9 July 2026). Work is in progress to ensure that the modules reflect the revised Code, but in the meantime the Code of Practice should be consulted by Members as part of their learning, when it is available.
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