HC Deb 25 January 1957 vol 563 cc86-7W
Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Health in the case of a child certified under the Mental Deficiency Acts with the concurrence of the mother because of domestic problems, what procedure is necessary to secure the release from a mental institution on the request of the mother or by the detainee when an adult.

Mr. Vosper

Requests for discharge, written or oral, can be made to the Board of Control without formality at any time by a parent or by a patient. It is also open to the Visitors of such institutions to discharge a patient within three months after the patient attains twenty-one. The Visitors are obliged by law to afford a parent or guardian an opportunity of being heard or making written representation before they give their decision, from which the parent or guardian or the patient may appeal to the Board of Control within fourteen days.