§ Mr. John HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances a responsible medical officer in a special hospital is(a) required or (b) advised to seek a second opinion before treating a patient.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe responsible medical officer is required to obtain both the consent of the patient and a second opinion if he wishes to treat the patient with psychosurgery or by surgical implantation of hormones for the purpose of reducing male sex drive. The consent of the patient or a second opinion is required for drug treatment, of three months or more have elapsed since drugs were first given during a period of detention, or for electroconvulsive therapy at any time during a period of detention.
Other forms of medical treatment for mental disorder from which the patient is suffering may be given without his consent being required. It is accepted good practice within the special hospital service however to seek the patient's consent and where that is not or cannot be given to seek the independent advice of a suitably qualified person who is not a member of the clinical team responsible for the patient.