Patient is examined by
RMO or Part II doctor
prior to the end of the
second 7 day period
The patient must be formally re-examined by the RMO or Part II doctor prior
to the end of the second 7-day period. The purpose of this examination is
to consider whether or not it is necessary to detain the patient for a period
of treatment, following the expiry of the 14-day period of assessment. The
criteria for detention for treatment therefore need to be considered.
What are the criteria for detention in hospital for treatment?
The criteria for detention in hospital for treatment are set out in
Article 12 of the Order. A person can be detained for treatment if the examining
doctor considers that the patient is:
- Suffering from mental illness or severe mental impairment* of a nature
or degree which warrants detention in hospital for medical treatment
and
- Failure to detain the patient would create a substantial likelihood of
serious physical harm to the patient or to other persons.
* Severe mental impairment is defined as a state of arrested or
incomplete development of mind which includes severe impairment of
intelligence and social functioning and is associated with abnormally
aggressive or seriously irresponsible conduct on the part of the person
concerned.
