Mental Health Act · 2023 Revised Edition · Part · Discharge, Leave of Absence and Transfer of Involuntary Patients from Psychiatric Facilities
16. Leave of absence
Official textFrom Attorney General's Chambers, unchanged
The officer in charge or any officer authorised by him may, if he considers it to be in the best interest of the patient, grant leave of absence to an involuntary patient allowing him to be absent from the psychiatric facility for a period of not more than one month, subject to such conditions as he considers appropriate.
officer in charge
“officer in charge” means the person responsible for the management and control of a psychiatric facility and for the supervision of the medical staff, nursing staff, technical staff and ancillary staff employed in that facility;
The officer in charge or any officer authorised by him may extend such leave of absence for a further period not exceeding 2 weeks if he is satisfied that the patient is not in need of any further care or treatment in the psychiatric facility, after conducting such examination on him as he may consider necessary.
psychiatric facility
“psychiatric facility” means a Government psychiatric facility or a private psychiatric facility;
The officer in charge or any officer authorised by him may revoke any leave of absence granted to an involuntary patient and require him to return to the psychiatric facility if —
involuntary patient
“involuntary patient” means a person admitted into and detained in a psychiatric facility under section 8(1), detained in a psychiatric facility under section 7(4), 12(1) or 12(3) or admitted into a psychiatric facility by an order of the court made under section 44 or 62;
the patient is in breach of any condition imposed under subsection (1); or
it appears to the officer in charge or any officer authorised by him that it is necessary in the interest of the patient’s health or safety or for the protection of other persons.
Terms defined in s 2
involuntary patient
Defined · s 2“involuntary patient” means a person admitted into and detained in a psychiatric facility under section 8(1), detained in a psychiatric facility under section 7(4), 12(1) or 12(3) or admitted into a psychiatric facility by an order of the court made under section 44 or 62;
officer in charge
Defined · s 2“officer in charge” means the person responsible for the management and control of a psychiatric facility and for the supervision of the medical staff, nursing staff, technical staff and ancillary staff employed in that facility;
psychiatric facility
Defined · s 2“psychiatric facility” means a Government psychiatric facility or a private psychiatric facility;
Part
Persons Admitted or Confined in Psychiatric Facilities Under Criminal Procedure Code
Part
Community Psychiatric Residence
Part
Community Mental Health Centre
Part
Visits, Examination and Review by Board of Visitors
Part
Quality of Psychiatric Healthcare Facilities and Services
Part
Proceedings in Inquiries Into Mental Disorder
Part