Who should act as the second medical recommendation for Sections 2 and 3 of the Mental Health Act

assessment (Section 2) and compulsory admission for treatment (Section 3). When this was debated in Parliament, the importance of the independence of the two doctors making medical recommendations was stressed. This was to avoid collusion, influence or interference with clinical judgement (Bluglass, 1983). The psychiatrist instigating the medical recommen dation can be unsure whether to ask a GP or another "approved" colleague to make the second medical