In section 17 (leave of absence from hospital), after subsection (2) insert—

“(2A)

But longer-term leave may not be granted to a patient unless the responsible clinician first considers whether the patient should be dealt with under section 17A instead.

(2B)

For these purposes, longer-term leave is granted to a patient if—

(a)

leave of absence is granted to him under this section either indefinitely or for a specified period of more than seven consecutive days; or

(b)

a specified period is extended under this section such that the total period for which leave of absence will have been granted to him under this section exceeds seven consecutive days.”

In Part 2 of Schedule 1 (patients subject to special restrictions), in paragraph 3 after paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa)

subsections (2A) and (2B) shall be omitted;”.