Section 7
Discharge of voluntary patient from psychiatric facility
(1)
The designated medical practitioner involved in the treatment of a voluntary patient may —
(a)
grant leave of absence to the patient; or
(b)
at any time discharge the patient if he is satisfied that —
(i)
it is in the interest of the patient to discharge him; and
(ii)
the patient is not in need of any further care and treatment in the psychiatric facility.
(2)
A voluntary patient, or if the voluntary patient is a minor, his guardian, may give written notice to the officer in charge requesting his discharge from the psychiatric facility.
(3)
Subject to an order made under subsection (4), a voluntary patient whose discharge has been requested under subsection (2) shall not be kept in the psychiatric facility for more than 72 hours from the time when the notice was received.
(4)
A voluntary patient whose discharge has been requested under subsection (2) shall be examined by a designated medical practitioner not involved in his treatment, and if that designated medical practitioner is satisfied that —
(a)
the patient is suffering from a mental disorder; and
(b)
it is necessary for the health or safety of the patient or for the protection of other persons that he continues to receive further care and treatment in the psychiatric facility, the designated medical practitioner shall make an order for the detention of the patient in the psychiatric facility for a further period not exceeding one month.