Supervised discharge
Patients who had been detained under s3 (and unrestricted hospital orders) can be given a supervised discharge under s25A. This is also called being made "subject to aftercare under supervision". Its aim is to help break the cycle of repeated admissions, relapses, and readmissions of "revolving door patients".
(Lots of detail to insert.)
Procedure
The supervised discharge takes effect when the application has been
- (a) made by the RMO,
- (b) accepted by the Health Authority,
- and (c) the patient has "left hospital": s25A(2).
For a patient on s17 leave, "left hospital" refers to when the leave expires: s25A(9). In theory, the s3 should be formally discharged (e.g. under s23).
MHRT applications etc
Just like s3, the s25A initially lasts for 6 months, can be renewed for a further 6-month period and then annually thereafter.
NB. For the purposes of calculating eligibility periods and renewal dates, the s25A actually begins as soon as step (b) above has been completed. A s3 patient made (or about to be made) subject to s25A may, if the timing and circumstances were right, be able to keep his hearing date by making a separate appeal against the s25A.