Shortcomings of consultant psychiatrists representing their responsible authority at mental health review tribunals are clear (Reference Nimmagadda and JonesNimmagadda & Jones, 2008).

The Mental Health Act does not stipulate that the responsible medical officer must attend the tribunal, and, not uncommonly, the task is delegated to a junior doctor; occasionally, this is a senior house officer, who knows little psychiatry and nothing of the Mental Health Act. Such individuals are easy prey for solicitors representing patients, and if they (the doctors) are persuaded to say that the patient does not have a mental disorder of a nature or degree which warrants further detention, the tribunal has little choice but to discharge the patient from hospital, whatever their reservations about the case.

It seems to me vitally important that the responsible medical officer is responsible and attends the tribunal, as he is the most skilled in protecting the responsible authorities’ best interests.