# Standards for recording MHA assessments by s12 Drs

**URL:** <https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/standards-for-recording-mha-assessments-by-s12-drs/694>\
**Category:** Mental Health Act\
**Created:** [17 November 2021 16:17 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/standards-for-recording-mha-assessments-by-s12-drs/694 "2021-11-17T16:17:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![HelenR](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/9dc877/32.png) [@HelenR](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/HelenR)\
**Post date:** [17 November 2021 16:17 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/standards-for-recording-mha-assessments-by-s12-drs/694/1 "2021-11-17T16:17:53Z")

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Hi all,

Does anyone know where I can lay my hands on any standards set for s12 Drs in recording their MHA assessments for the patient record?

This is in addition to the expectations on content contained within the medical recommendation forms.

Many thanks,

Helen

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**Author:** ![Nickwoo](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/ccd318/32.png) [@Nickwoo](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Nickwoo)\
**Post date:** [19 November 2021 13:18 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/standards-for-recording-mha-assessments-by-s12-drs/694/2 "2021-11-19T13:18:43Z")

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Hi,  
I’m not aware of any nationally agreed set of standards, and I don’t think the Code of Practice sets any expecations either. There may be some local policies or standards which form the basis of audits.  
This case is a good one to read to see how important contemporaneous, good quality notes are in providing a defence against an allegation of negligence:

[Griffiths v Chief Constable of Suffolk Police, and Norfolk and Suffolk NHSFT [2018] EWHC 2538 (QB)](https://www.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/Griffiths_v_Chief_Constable_of_Suffolk_Police,_and_Norfolk_and_Suffolk_NHSFT_(2018)_EWHC_2538_(QB))