The type of discharge available depends on the section under which the patient is detained. The following table summaries the position in relation to the most common sections.

Section	Criteria	Types of discharge
s2	s72(1)(a)	(Full) discharge Deferred discharge (to future date) Statutory ecommendation re leave or transfer (can reconvene)
s3, s37, s47	s72(1)(b)	(Full) discharge Deferred discharge (to future date) Statutory recommendation re leave or transfer or CTO (can reconvene)
s37/41	s73	Absolute discharge Conditional discharge Deferred conditional discharge (until conditions can be met) Extra-statutory (informal) recommendation (can't reconvene)
s47/49	s74	Notification that would be entitled to absolute or conditional discharge Notification that (if entitled to C/D) should remain in hospital rather than prison Extra-statutory (informal) recommendation (can't reconvene)
Already conditionally discharged	s75	Absolute discharge Variation of conditions