Section 17
Apprehension of involuntary patient
Where an involuntary patient ordered to be detained in a psychiatric facility —
(a)
absents himself from that facility without leave of absence granted under section 16(1); or
(b)
fails to return to that facility —
(i)
after the expiration of any period of leave of absence granted to him under section 16(1) or (2); or
(ii)
upon being required to return under section 16(3), he may be taken into custody by any police officer, medical social officer or any person authorised in writing by the officer in charge for the purpose of bringing him to that facility.
Mental Health
B.L.R.O. 4/2023 23
Transfer of involuntary patient to another Government psychiatric facility or private psychiatric facility 18.
(1)
The Director-General or any officer authorised by him may, by order, direct the transfer of an involuntary patient from a Government psychiatric facility or a private psychiatric facility to another Government psychiatric facility or another private psychiatric facility if —
(a)
he is satisfied that the transfer will be of benefit to the patient or is necessary for the patient’s care or treatment; and
(b)
in the case of a proposed transfer to a private psychiatric facility, the officer in charge or any officer authorised by the officer in charge of that facility has agreed to the transfer.
(2)
Subject to subsection (1)(b), the officer in charge of the
Government psychiatric facility or the private psychiatric facility, as the case may be, shall in all cases comply with the order of the Director-General under subsection (1) but —
(a)
if the officer in charge is satisfied that it would be of benefit to an involuntary patient under his care to be transferred to another psychiatric facility other than that mentioned in the order; and
(b)
arrangements for the transfer could be made or have been made with the officer in charge of the psychiatric facility to which it is proposed to transfer the involuntary patient, the officer in charge shall communicate his views in writing to the
Director-General whose decision on the matter is final.
(3)
An order made under subsection (1) or (2) shall be sufficient authority for the reception and detention of the patient to whom it relates in the psychiatric facility to which he is transferred.