Nigel Turner's HyperGUIDE to
the Mental Health Act
Section 17
Planned / Authorised Leave
The Responsible Medical Officer
[RMO] may grant leave to people detained under the Act (other
than those subject to restrictions). The leave may be:
- for a fixed or indefinite period, up to the remaining
duration of the Section
- in, or not in, the custody of a member of hospital staff
- subject to conditions
- revoked (in writing) at any time by the RMO if necessary in
the interests of the person's health or safety or for the
protection of others
- extended by further leave, which may be granted in the
patient's absence
When the person is on leave, the duration of their Section is
not affected. If the Section under which the person is detained
expires while he/she is on authorised leave, then they cannot be
recalled to hospital. This does not apply if the person is
absent without leave at the time the Section would
otherwise expire. It is not legal to recall a patient to
hospital just before the expiry of the Section for the purpose
of renewing the Section and then granting a further period of
leave.
Unauthorised absence is dealt with in Section
18.
Overview page. Contents page. Introduction page.
Copyright © Nigel Turner 1996
This page last revised 28 March 1996
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and
reliability of information in these pages, they are not intended
to be relied upon as an authoritative statement of the law. The
author cannot accept liability for errors or
omissions.