Mental Health: Discharge of Patients.

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

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A decision made (14/08/2006) regarding Mental Health (Jersey) Law, 1969. Discharge of patients - Article 27 (1).

Subject:	MENTAL HEALTH (JERSEY) LAW, 1969 DISCHARGE OF PATIENTS – ARTICLE 27 (1)
Decision Reference:	MD-H SS-2006-0043	Exempt clause(s):			NONE
Type of Report: (oral (O) or written (W))	Written
Telephone or email meeting?		Person giving report (if oral):
Written Report title:	MENTAL HEALTH (JERSEY) LAW, 1969 DISCHARGE OF PATIENTS – ARTICLE 27 (1)
Name of Author:	Andrew Bannister, Assistant Director, Corporate Planning and Performance Manager
Date of Report:	08 August 2006			Report File ref:
Decision(s): To approve procedures for an “Order for Discharge” in respect of a patient who is for the time being liable to be detained in a hospital or subject to guardianship made under Article 27(1) of the Mental Health (Jersey) Law, 1969.
Reason(s) for decision: Following the introduction of Ministerial Government it is now the responsibility of the Minister for Health & Social Services to personally decide on whether or not to make an “Order for Discharge” when requested to do so by a patient. This Ministerial function cannot be delegated to either an Assistant Minister or an Officer in the Department. In the absence of the Minister, such function can only be undertaken by someone of equal or superior authority, i.e. the Chief Minister or another Minister designated by the Chief Minister. The attached report sets out the procedures to be followed to comply with Article 27(1) of the Mental Health (Jersey) Law, 1969.
Action required: To forward this Ministerial Decision for noting to the Chief Minister, who may be called upon to undertake this function or delegate another Minister to undertake this function in the absence of the Minister for Health and Social Services.
Signature:			Date of Decision: 14 August 2006