10.—(1) Where a registered medical practitioner is satisfied following an examination of the person the subject of the application that the person is suffering from a mental disorder, he or she shall make a recommendation (in this Act referred to as “a recommendation”) in a form specified by the Commission that the person be involuntarily admitted to an approved centre (other than the Central Mental Hospital) specified by him or her in the recommendation.

(2) An examination of the person the subject of an application shall be carried out within 24 hours of the receipt of the application and the registered medical practitioner concerned shall inform the person of the purpose of the examination unless in his or her view the provision of such information might be prejudicial to the person's mental health, well-being or emotional condition.

(3) A registered medical practitioner shall, for the purposes of this section, be disqualified for making a recommendation in relation to a person the subject of an application—

(a) if he or she has an interest in the payments (if any) to be made in respect of the care of the person in the approved centre concerned,

(b) if he or she is a member of the staff of the approved centre to which the person is to be admitted,

(c) if he or she is a spouse F15[, a civil partner] or a relative of the person, or

(d) if he or she is the applicant.

(4) A recommendation under subsection (1) shall be sent by the registered medical practitioner concerned to the clinical director of the approved centre concerned and a copy of the recommendation shall be given to the applicant concerned.

(5) A recommendation under this section shall remain in force for a period of 7 days from the date of its making and shall then expire.