Mental Health Act 2001

Discharge of patients.

28

28.—(1) Where the consultant psychiatrist responsible for the care and treatment of a patient becomes of opinion that the patient is no longer suffering from a mental disorder, he or she shall by order in a form specified by the Commission revoke the relevant admission order or renewal order, as the case may be, and discharge the patient.

(2) In deciding whether and when to discharge a patient under this section, the consultant psychiatrist responsible for his or her care and treatment shall have regard to the need to ensure:

(a) that the patient is not inappropriately discharged, and

(b) that the patient is detained pursuant to an admission order or a renewal order only for so long as is reasonably necessary for his or her proper care and treatment.

(3) Where a consultant psychiatrist discharges a patient under this section, he or she shall give to the patient concerned and his or her legal representative a notice in a form specified by the Commission to the effect that he or she—

(a) is being discharged pursuant to this section,

(b) is entitled to have his or her detention reviewed by a tribunal in accordance with the provisions of section 18 or, where such review has commenced, completed in accordance with that section if he or she so indicates by notice in writing addressed to the Commission within 14 days of the date of his or her discharge.

(4) Where a consultant psychiatrist discharges a patient under this section, he or she shall cause copies of the order made under subsection (1) and the notice referred to in subsection (3) to be given to the Commission and, where appropriate, F35[the Health Service Executive] and housing authority.

(5) Where a patient is discharged under this section—

(a) if a review under section 18 has then commenced, it shall be discontinued unless the patient requests by notice in writing addressed to the Commission within 14 days of his or her discharge that it be completed, or

(b) if such a review has not then commenced, it shall not be held unless the patient indicates by notice in writing addressed to the Commission within 14 days of his or her discharge that he or she wishes such a review to be held,

and, if he or she requests that a review under section 18 be completed or held, as the case may be, the provisions of sections 17 to 19 shall apply in relation to the review with any necessary modifications.

Annotations

Amendments:

F35

Substituted (1.01.2005) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), s. 72 and sch. 7, part 12, item 5, S.I. No. 887 of 2004.

Editorial Notes:

E19

Previous affecting provisions: section prior to 30 March 2020 temporarily suspended and subs. (3)(b), (5) amended, subs. (6) inserted (30.03.2020 to 9.11.2021, see annontation to s. 2A) by Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 (2/2020), s. 19, commenced as per s. 1(2)(b), (3)(a), (b), subject to transitional exception in s. 24. Ceased 10.11.2021.