Mental Health Act, 2001
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Power to detain voluntary patients. |
24.—(1) Where a person (other than a child) is detained pursuant to section 23 , the consultant psychiatrist responsible for the care and treatment of the person prior to his or her detention shall either discharge the person or arrange for him or her to be examined by another consultant psychiatrist who is not a spouse or relative of the person. | |
(2) If, following such an examination, the second-mentioned consultant psychiatrist— | ||
(a) is satisfied that the person is suffering from a mental disorder, he or she shall issue a certificate in writing in a form specified by the Commission stating that he or she is of opinion that because of such mental disorder the person should be detained in the approved centre, or | ||
(b) is not so satisfied, he or she shall issue a certificate in writing in a form specified by the Commission stating that he or she is of opinion that the person should not be detained and the person shall thereupon be discharged. | ||
(3) Where a certificate is issued under subsection (2)(a), the consultant psychiatrist responsible for the care and treatment of the person immediately before his or her detention under section 23 shall make an admission order in a form specified by the Commission for the reception, detention and treatment of the person in the approved centre. | ||
(4) The provisions of sections 15 to 22 shall apply to a person detained under this section as they apply to a person detained under section 14 with any necessary modifications. | ||
(5) For the purpose of carrying out an examination under subsection (2), the consultant psychiatrist concerned shall be entitled to take charge of the person concerned for the period of 24 hours referred to in section 23 . | ||
(6) References in this section to the consultant psychiatrist responsible for the care and treatment of the person include references to a consultant psychiatrist acting on behalf of the first-mentioned consultant psychiatrist. |