Authors’ reply

Abstract

To name a few: the ALS course came with an extensive manual, knowledge of which was tested in a multiple choice question; the large majority of the course was spent undertaking simulations of the tasks in which the course was accrediting competence; and IDs were checked and significantly late arrivals would have resulted in course failure, and therefore the course was promptly attended. There was no simulation training on performing Mental Health Act assessments (MHAAs) in the course. The MRCPsych exams do not assess knowledge of mental health law. [...]it is entirely possible for a doctor to receive Section 12 approval who has never performed an MHA, simulated or real, or who did not attend the approval course, instead asking a colleague to sign in, or attended the course but chose to engage with their phone rather than the course content.