Section 24 Visiting and examination of patients.

England and Wales

(1)

For the purpose of advising as to the exercise by the nearest relative of a patient who is liable to be detained or subject to guardianship under this Part of this Act F1, or who is a community patient, of any power to order his discharge, any registered medical practitioner F2or approved clinician authorised by or on behalf of the nearest relative of the patient may, at any reasonable time, visit the patient and examine him in private.

(2)

Any registered medical practitioner or approved clinician authorised for the purposes of subsection (1) above to visit and examine a patient may require the production of and inspect any records relating to the detention or treatment of the patient in any hospital F3or to any after-care services provided for the patient under section 117 below..

F4(3)

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(4)

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Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Words in s. 24(1) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 3 para. 11(2) (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)
F2: Words in s. 24 inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 9(7), 56, (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)
F3: Words in s. 24(2)(4) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c .52, ss. 1(2), 7(2), Sch. 1, para. 1
F4: S. 24(3)(4) omitted (1.7.2012) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 39(2), 306(4); S.I. 2012/1319, art. 2(3)

Notes on the whole Act

Textual amendments

F1: For the words "Supreme Court Act 1981" there is substituted (1.10.2009) the words "Senior Courts Act 1981" by virtue of Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 1(2); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

Notes on Part II

Modifications

C1: Pt. II (ss. 2–34) modified by Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 (c. 36, SIF 85), ss. 17(2), 78(2)
C2: Part II (ss. 2-34) modified (E.W.) (1.1.1992) by Criminal Procedure (Insanity and Unfitness to Plead) Act 1991 (c. 25, SIF 39:1), s. 5(1), Sch. 1 para.3 (with saving in s. 8); S.I. 1991/2488, art. 2

Notes on Duration of authority and discharge

Textual amendments

F1: S. 20: cross-heading substituted (3.11.2008) by virtue of Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32(3), 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)