Mental Health Act 1983

117 After-care. E+W

(1) This section applies to persons who are detained under section 3 above, or admitted to a hospital in pursuance of a hospital order made under section 37 above, or transferred to a hospital in pursuance of [F1 a hospital direction made under section 45A above or] a transfer direction made under section 47 or 48 above, and then cease to be detained and [F2 (whether or not immediately after so ceasing)] leave hospital.

(2) It shall be the duty of the [F3 Health Authority] and of the local social services authority to provide, in co-operation with relevant voluntary agencies, after-care services for any person to whom this section applies until such time as the [F3 Health Authority] and the local social services authority are satisfied that the person concerned is no longer in need of such services [F4 ; but they shall not be so satisfied in the case of a patient who is subject to after-care under supervision at any time while he remains so subject.]

[F5 (2A) It shall be the duty of the Health Authority to secure that at all times while a patient is subject to after-care under supervision—

(a) a person who is a registered medical practitioner approved for the purposes of section 12 above by the Secretary of State as having special experience in the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorder is in charge of the medical treatment provided for the patient as part of the after-care services provided for him under this section; and

(b) a person professionally concerned with any of the after-care services so provided is supervising him with a view to securing that he receives the after-care services so provided.

(2B) Section 32 above shall apply for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of Part II of this Act.]

(3) In this [F6 section “the Health Authority” means the Health Authority, and “the local social services authority” means the local social services authority, for the area] in which the person concerned is resident or to which he is sent on discharge by the hospital in which he was detained.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 117(1) inserted (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, s. 55, Sch. 4, para. 12(17); S.I.1997/2200, art. 2(2)

F2 Words in s. 117(1) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 52, ss. 1(2), 7(2), Sch. 1, para. 15(2)

F3 Words in s. 117(2) substituted (28.6.1995 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 17, s by 1995 c. 17, ss. 2(1), 9(3), Sch. 1, Pt. III, para. 107(8)(a) (with ss. 2(3), 8)

F4 Words in s. 117(2) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 52, ss. 1(2), 7(2), Sch. 1, para. 15(3)

F5 S. 117(2A)-(2B) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 52, ss. 1(2), 7(2), Sch. 1, para. 15(4)

F6 Words in s. 117(3) substituted (28.6.1995 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 17, s by 1995 c. 17, ss. 2(1), 9(3), Sch. 1, Pt. III, para. 107(8)(b) (with ss. 2(3), 8)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 117(2)(2A): functions of local authority may be responsibility of an executive of the authority (1.4.2000) by virtue of S.I. 2000/695, reg. 3(2)(b), Sch. 2