Joint statement of the UK Consultant Nurse networks for Learning Disability; Mental Health; CAMHS and Autism

Approved Clinician

First issued in October 2022 this has been updated and reissued in June 2026. Download file here

Approved Clinician role in England and Wales

Applicable only in England and Wales currently, mental health law in Scotland and Northern Ireland does not allow nurses to take this type of role on.

The Approved Clinician role was first developed as part of the amendments to the Mental Health Act in 2007 implemented in 2008.This role as introduced widened the range of professionals who could be responsible for people subject to the Mental Health Act to ensure improved quality of care and treatment, ensure the most appropriate professional was responsible for a person’s treatment under the Act and increase patient involvement and choice.

Since this development very few nurses have felt able to take up this opportunity, and those that have, often report feeling isolated and unsupported.

The RCN held an event to share further information and hopefully prompt more nurses to aspire to this role.