Request a SOAD (second opinion appointed doctor)

Use this service to request a second opinion appointed doctor to safeguard people who do not, or cannot, agree to their treatment under the Mental Health Act.

You’ll be asked to enter details including:

• dates when detention and treatment started and any treatment given under emergency or urgent powers
• names and contacts for everyone involved, including the patient, approved clinician and statutory consultees
• a secure email address
• additional documents such as a current AMHP report, tribunal or managers’ report or a recent admission summary

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How it works

To make a SOAD request you must be an approved clinician, or be acting on the instruction of an approved clinician. We do not accept requests from anyone else, including patients, relatives or carers.

A request must have a legitimate statutory reason for example:

• to certify medicine after 3 months  since treatment for mental disorder started after being detained
• the patient has started a CTO (community treatment order) and it is clear a SOAD will be needed after 1 month
• the treatment changes significantly
• ECT (electro-convulsive therapy) is recommended

Cancelling or updating a SOAD request

If you need to cancel or update a request, email SOAD_requests@cqc.org.uk with ‘Cancellation’ or ‘Update’ as the subject.

You will need to cancel a request if the patient has moved hospitals. The new hospital is responsible for submitting a new SOAD request if this is still required.

You will receive an email containing a link to your SOAD request. This will allow you to resume, if your service is interrupted.