§ Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what check is made by his Department on the patients held in mental hospitals to see that each case is regularly reviewed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanA patient who is detained under the Mental Health Act 1959, and who is not subject to restrictions on discharge under sections 65 or 74 of that Act, cannot be detained in hospital for more than a year unless his responsible medical officer has examined him and has furnished a report that further detention is necessary. Detention may be renewed in the same way at the end of the second year and biennially thereafter.
No renewal of authority to detain is required when the patient is subject to restrictions on discharge but hospital managers are asked to arrange for the responsible medical officers to review and submit reports on such patients at intervals similar to those pertaining to unrestricted patients.