Form A2 - Regulation 4(1)(a)(ii) Mental Health Act 1983 - Section 2 - Application by an approved mental health professional for admission for assessment

Sep 1, 2026

Form A2, Section 2 sets out an application for hospital admission for assessment under Part 2 of the Mental Health Act 1983. The approved mental health professional completes patient details, identifies the local social services authority acting on the professional’s behalf, and confirms approval under the Act. It records information about the patient’s nearest relative, including authorisation and whether discharge-order powers were disclosed, and states when the professional last saw and interviewed the patient, relying on two prescribed medical recommendations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatDOCX

Pages4

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Section 2 — Application by an approved mental health professional for admission for assessment

Application details and acting authority

Nearest relative information

Professional interview, timing, and medical recommendations

Declaration and signature

Form A2 - Regulation 4(1)(a)(ii) Mental Health Act 1983 Section 2 — Application by an approved mental health professional for admission for assessment To the managers of [name and address of hospital] I [PRINT your full name, address and, if sending by means of electronic communication, email address] apply for the admission of [PRINT full name and address of patient] for assessment in accordance with Part 2 of the Mental Health Act 1983. I am acting on behalf of [PRINT name of local social services authority] and am approved to act as an approved mental health professional for the purposes of the Act by that authority [name of local social services authority that approved you, if different] Complete the following if you know who the nearest relative is. Complete (a) or (b) as applicable and delete the other. To the best of my knowledge and belief [PRINT full name and address] is the patient’s nearest relative within the meaning of the Act. I understand that [PRINT full name and address] has been authorised by a county court/the patient’s nearest relative* to exercise the functions under the Act of the patient’s nearest relative. <*Delete the phrase which does not apply> I have/have not yet* informed that person that this application is to be made and of the nearest relative’s power to order the discharge of the patient. <*Delete the phrase which does not apply> Complete the following if you do not know who the nearest relative is. Delete (a) or (b). I have been unable to ascertain who is the patient’s nearest relative within the meaning of the Act. To the best of my knowledge and belief this patient has no nearest relative within the meaning of the Act. The remainder of the form must be completed in all cases. I last saw the patient on [date], which was within the period of 14 days ending on the day this application is completed. I have interviewed the patient and l am satisfied that detention in a hospital is in all the circumstances of the case the most appropriate way of providing the care and medical treatment of which the patient stands in need. This application is founded on two medical recommendations in the prescribed form. If neither of the medical practitioners had previous acquaintance with the patient before making their recommendations, please explain why you could not get a recommendation from a medical practitioner who did have previous acquaintance with the patient — [If you need to continue on a separate sheet please indicate here and attach that sheet to this form] Signed Date © Crown copyright 2020 Mental Health HYPERLINK "https://www.gov.uk/dhsc" www.gov.uk/dhsc This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit HYPERLINK "http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/" nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

FAQs

Who can submit Form A2, Section 2 and on whose behalf?

An approved mental health professional submits the application. The form confirms the professional is acting on behalf of the local social services authority and is approved for the Act for the stated purposes.

What must be completed regarding the patient’s nearest relative?

If known, the form states the nearest relative’s full name and address and explains their authorisation by a county court. It also records whether the nearest relative has been informed of their power to order the patient’s discharge. If unknown, the form states the professional could not ascertain it or that the patient has no nearest relative within the Act’s meaning.

What evidence and checks does the form require before signing?

The professional records the date of the last interview within the 14-day period ending on the application completion date and confirms that detention in hospital is the most appropriate way to provide care and medical treatment. The application must be founded on two medical recommendations in the prescribed form, with reasons given if neither practitioner previously knew the patient.

Sep 1, 2026

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