Open consultation Draft Revised Code of Practice for the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986

Summary

The Department of Health is consulting on the draft revised Code of Practice for the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (MHO). The MHO provides the legal framework for the care, treatment, and rights of individuals with mental disorders, including provisions for compulsory admission, guardianship, and treatment.
The Code of Practice provides statutory guidance to professionals, including Health and Social Care Trusts, the PSNI, and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, and is regarded as best practice.

Documents

• Draft Revised Code of Practice Mental Health Order (Northern Ireland) 1986 Microsoft Word (7 MB)
• Consultation Document - Mental Health (NI) Order 1986 Revised Code of Practice Microsoft Word (163 KB)
• EQIA - Revised MHO Code of Practice Microsoft Word (284 KB)
• Rural Needs Impact Assessment (RNIA) - Revised MHO Code of Practice Microsoft Word (391 KB)
• Departmental Privacy Notice - DoH - updated July 2025 Microsoft Word (31 KB)

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Consultation description

Running from 30 September 2025 to 29 December 2025, the consultation seeks input from a wide range of stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience, carers, families, health and social care professionals, the PSNI, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, advocacy groups, and academics. The aim is to ensure the revised Code reflects modern mental health practices, upholds human rights, and promotes person-centred care and inter-agency collaboration.

The Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986