How we regulate mental health services

The Care Quality Commission has two roles in dealing with the Mental Health Act in our work.

Monitoring of all mental health services

All health and adult social care providers that are carrying on a regulated activity, including those providing mental health care, have to be registered with us. They must meet certain legal requirements before they can register. These include the fundamental standards of quality and safety.

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• Regulations for care providers

Care of patients whose rights are restricted

We visit people whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act.

When we visit, we meet patients in private to hear their experiences and concerns, make sure they know their rights and check that staff are using the Act properly.

Our visits look at the patient's experiences, including medication, treatment, privacy and ward environment.

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• Your rights under the Mental Health Act