Part 1Amendments to Mental Health Act 1983

Chapter 8Miscellaneous

I144Places of safety

1

The 1983 Act is amended as follows.

2

In section 135 (warrant to search for and remove patients), after subsection (3) insert—

3A

A constable, an approved mental health professional or a person authorised by either of them for the purposes of this subsection may, before the end of the period of 72 hours mentioned in subsection (3) above, take a person detained in a place of safety under that subsection to one or more other places of safety.

3B

A person taken to a place of safety under subsection (3A) above may be detained there for a period ending no later than the end of the period of 72 hours mentioned in subsection (3) above.

3

In section 136 (mentally disordered persons found in public places), after subsection (2) insert—

3

A constable, an approved mental health professional or a person authorised by either of them for the purposes of this subsection may, before the end of the period of 72 hours mentioned in subsection (2) above, take a person detained in a place of safety under that subsection to one or more other places of safety.

4

A person taken to a place of a safety under subsection (3) above may be detained there for a purpose mentioned in subsection (2) above for a period ending no later than the end of the period of 72 hours mentioned in that subsection.