10(1)Section 23 (discharge of patients) is amended as follows.U.K.
(2)In subsection (1) for the words from “from detention” to the end substitute “ absolutely from detention or guardianship is made in accordance with this section ”.
(3)After subsection (1) insert—
“(1A)Subject to the provisions of this section and section 25 below, a community patient shall cease to be liable to recall under this Part of this Act, and the application for admission for treatment cease to have effect, if an order in writing discharging him from such liability is made in accordance with this section.
(1B)An order under subsection (1) or (1A) above shall be referred to in this Act as “an order for discharge”.”
(4)In subsection (2), after paragraph (b) insert—
“(c)where the patient is a community patient, by the responsible clinician, by the managers of the responsible hospital or by the nearest relative of the patient.”
(5)In subsection (3)—
(a)for the words from “is liable” to “treatment” substitute “ falls within subsection (3A) below ”, and
(b)for “the patient is maintained” substitute “ arrangements have been made in respect of the patient ”.
(6)After subsection (3) insert—
“(3A)A patient falls within this subsection if—
(a)he is liable to be detained in a registered establishment in pursuance of an application for admission for assessment or for treatment; or
(b)he is a community patient and the responsible hospital is a registered establishment.”
11(1)Section 24 (visiting and examination of patients) is amended as follows.U.K.
(2)In subsection (1), after “this Act” insert “ , or who is a community patient, ”.
(3)In subsection (3)—
(a)for the words from “, in respect of” to “his discharge” substitute “ any power under section 23(3) above to make an order for a patient's discharge ”, and
(b)in paragraph (b) for “the home” substitute “ the establishment in question ”.
(4)In subsection (4)—
(a)after “the detention of the patient” insert “ , or (as the case may be) for his liability to recall, ” and
(b)for “the home” substitute “ the establishment ”.
12(1)Section 25 (restrictions on discharge by nearest relative) is amended as follows.U.K.
(2)In subsection (1), after “shall not be made” insert “ under section 23 above ”.
(3)After that subsection insert—
“(1A)Subsection (1) above shall apply to an order for the discharge of a community patient as it applies to an order for the discharge of a patient who is liable to be detained in a hospital, but with the reference to the managers of the hospital being read as a reference to the managers of the responsible hospital.”
(4)In subsection (2), after “treatment” insert “ , or in respect of a community patient, ”.