Part V Admission to and Detention in Hospital and Guardianship

Functions of relatives of patients

56 Appointment by sheriff of acting nearest relative.

1

The sheriff may, upon application made in accordance with the provisions of this section in respect of a patient, by order direct that the functions under this Act of the nearest relative of the patient shall, during the continuance in force of the order, be exercisable by the applicant, or by any other person specified in the application, being a person who, in the opinion of the sheriff, is a proper person to act as the nearest relative of the patient, and who is willing to do so.

2

An order under this section may be made on the application of—

a

any relative (including the nearest relative) of the patient;

b

any other person with whom the patient is residing (or, if the patient is then an in-patient in a hospital, was last residing before he was admitted); or

c

a mental health officer,

but in relation to an application made by such an officer subsection (1) of this section shall have effect as if for the words “the applicant” there were substituted the words “the local authority”.

3

An application for an order under this section may be made upon any of the following grounds, that is to say—

a

that the patient has no nearest relative within the meaning of this Act, or that it is not reasonably practicable to ascertain whether he has such a relative or who that relative is;

b

that the nearest relative of the patient is incapable of acting as such by reason of mental disorder or other illness;

c

where the application is made by the nearest relative of the patient, that he is unwilling or considers it undesirable to continue to act as such.

4

While an order made under this section is in force, the provisions of this Part of this Act (other than this section and section 57 of this Act) shall apply in relation to the patient as if for any reference to the nearest relative of the patient there were substituted a reference to the person having the functions of that relative and (without prejudice to section 57 of this Act) shall so apply notwithstanding that the person who was the nearest relative of the patient when the order was made is no longer his nearest relative.