The Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986

Duty of [F1 authority] to give information to patients and nearest relatives N.I.

27.—(1) The responsible [F1 authority] shall, in relation to a patient detained in a hospital or subject to guardianship under this Part, take such steps as are practicable to ensure that the patient understands—

(a) under which of the provisions of this Order he is for the time being detained or subject to guardianship and the effect of that provision; and

(b) what rights of applying to the Review Tribunal are available to him in respect of his detention or guardianship under that provision;

and those steps shall be taken as soon as practicable after the commencement of the patient's detention under the provision in question or the commencement or renewal of the authority for his guardianship.

(2) The responsible[F1 authority] shall also take such steps as are practicable to ensure—

(a) that a patient detained in a hospital or subject to guardianship under this Part understands—

(i) the effect, so far as relevant in his case, of Articles 14, 24 and 71(4); and

(ii) that he may make representations to the Commission;

(b) that a patient detained in a hospital under this Part understands the effect, so far as relevant in his case, of Articles 16, 17 and 111 and Part IV;

(c) that the nearest relative of a patient detained in a hospital or subject to guardianship under this Part is furnished with a written statement of his rights and powers under this Order;

and those steps shall be taken as soon as practicable after the commencement of the patient's detention or his reception into guardianship.

(3) The steps to be taken under paragraphs (1) and (2)(a) and (b) shall include giving the requisite information both orally and in writing.

(4) The responsible[F1 authority] shall take such steps as are practicable to ensure that where a patient ceases to be liable to be detained in hospital or subject to guardianship under this Part the patient, his nearest relative and, in the case of a patient subject under this Part to the guardianship of a person other than[F1 the responsible authority], the guardian of the patient are informed of that fact as soon as practicable after he so ceases.

(5) The responsible[F1 authority] shall, except where the patient otherwise requests, take such steps as are practicable to furnish his nearest relative with a copy of any information given to the patient in writing under paragraphs (1) and (2); and those steps shall be taken when the information is given to the patient or within a reasonable time thereafter.

F1 1994 NI 2