For existing Approved Medical Practitioners, it is mandatory to complete update training by 31st December 2019, and thereafter every five years. However, a transitional period until 31st December 2020 has been allowed for those who have been unable to timeously complete update training for the first time. The policy intention therefore does not change and the Direction and its requirement for updated training came into force on 31st December 2019.
Continuing AMPs must ensure they complete the appropriate update training prior to the five-year anniversary of their initial training or previous update training, otherwise their AMP status will lapse. Failure to complete update training in time will have significant legal implications. Where the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2003 requires a duty to be fulfilled by an AMP, if you do not hold AMP status at the relevant time (for example when a statutory medical examination was carried out) an application to the Tribunal which relied on that examination may fall to be dismissed as being misconceived, or the continuing detention of a patient challenged as being unlawful. If you believe that your status as an AMP has lapsed, please seek advice from Central Legal Office in relation to any statutory work you have undertaken.
From December 2022, existing AMPs will be required to complete one of the following courses every five years:
AMP Update Training – Multi-Specialty
AMP Update Training – CAMHS
AMP Update Training – Forensic
This removes the requirement for AMPs in CAMHS and Forensic to complete an additional course as part of their Update training, so they will not need to do both the specialist course and the Multi-Specialty course. If you specialise in CAMHS or Forensic psychiatry, then you need only complete the appropriate course listed above to complete your mandatory Update training. AMPs in any other specialty need only complete the Multi-Specialty course to complete their mandatory Update training. If no CAMHS or Forensic courses are available, an AMP may complete the Multi-Specialty course instead to allow them to meet their Update training requirements, without having to additionally complete the CAMHS or Forensic course, although the specialist course remains the recommended route.
Click the icons below to learn more about each course, including course dates and how to book.
