Part VIII Miscellaneous Functions of Local Authorities and the Secretary of State
Functions of the Secretary of State
120 General protection of detained patients.
1
The Secretary of State shall keep under review the exercise of the powers and the discharge of the duties conferred or imposed by this Act so far as relating to the detention of patients or to patients liable to be detained under this Act and shall make arrangements for persons authorised by him in that behalf—
a
to visit and interview in private patients detained under this Act in hospitals and mental nursing homes; and
b
to investigate—
i
any complaint made by a person in respect of a matter that occurred while he was detained under this Act in a hospital or mental nursing home and which he considers has not been satisfactorily dealt with by the managers of that hospital or mental nursing home; and
ii
any other complaint as to the exercise of the powers or the discharge of the duties conferred or imposed by this Act in respect of a person who is or has been so detained.
2
The arrangements made under this section in respect of the investigation of complaints may exclude matters from investigation in specified circumstances and shall not require any person exercising functions under the arrangements to undertake or continue with any investigation where he does not consider it appropriate to do so.
3
Where any such complaint as is mentioned in subsection (1)(b)(ii) above is made by a Member of Parliament and investigated under the arrangements made under this section the results of the investigation shall be reported to him.
4
For the purpose of any such review as is mentioned in subsection (1) above or of carrying out his functions under arrangements made under this section any person authorised in that behalf by the Secretary of State may at any reasonable time—
a
visit and interview and, if he is a registered medical practitioner, examine in private any patient in a mental nursing home; and
b
require the production of and inspect any records relating to the detention or treatment of any person who is or has been detained in a mental nursing home.
5
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6
The Secretary of State may make such provision as he may with the approval of the Treasury determine for the payment of remuneration, allowances, pensions or gratuities to or in respect of persons exercising functions in relation to any such review as is mentioned in subsection (1) above or functions under arrangements made under this section.
7
The powers and duties referred to in subsection (1) above do not include any power or duty conferred or imposed by Part VII of this Act.