Commentary on Sections Part 4 – Local Authority and Health Board Functions Chapter 1: Health Board duties Approved medical practitioners
39.Section 22 places a duty on Health Boards and on the State Hospitals Board for Scotland, (the special Health Board with responsibility for the State Hospital) to each maintain a list of approved medical practitioners having special experience in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorder. An approved medical practitioner has a number of functions under the 2003 Act. For example, at least one of the mental health reports making a recommendation for a compulsory treatment order must be provided by an approved medical practitioner while a short-term detention certificate may only be granted by an approved medical practitioner.