Bedfordshire and Luton AMHP Service
The AMHP (Approved Mental Health Professional) service is provided By East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) on behalf of Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council and Luton Borough Council.
We assess people under the Mental Health Act 1983, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Out of hours this service is provided by the emergency duty team (EDT), which is provided by Central Bedfordshire Council.
AMHPs are qualified nurses, social workers, occupational therapists (OTs) or psychologists, who have completed additional training that means they can make an application under the Mental Health Act 1983 to detain a person to hospital for a period of assessment or treatment.
This will happen if there is a concern that the person has a mental disorder and is a risk to their own or others health and safety, but are unwilling or unable to agree to come into hospital or stay in hospital.
Alongside the AMHP, two doctors will also be part of the assessing team, one must have special training in the assessment and diagnosis of mental disorder and one who is a registered medical practitioner.
The AMHP will make all reasonable attempts to liaise with the person’s nearest relative if application for assessment (section 2 is being considered) and must consult with the nearest relative if application for treatment (section 3) is being considered.
Address
Florence Ball House (Central base)
Bedford Health Village
Bedford
MK40 2NT
United Kingdom
Opening hours
9am-5pm (Monday to Friday)
Email address
Telephone number
01234 893867
07748 106 264
07748 123 665