In England and Wales, with the introduction of the 2007 amendments to the Mental Health Act (MHA)1983, new roles and responsibilities became available to nurses and allied health professionals (Mental Health Act, 2007; National Institute for Mental Health in England, 2008). Where previously the mental health nurse's role under the MHA had primarily been to care for detained patients and to use limited powers of detention under section 5(4), the 2007 Act enabled nurses to become both Approved Clinicians (ACs), Responsible Clinicians (RCs) and Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs). Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.