New section 295A
64.Under section 293 or 294 of the 2003 Act a mental health officer (MHO) can apply for a removal order if he or she considers that a person over 16 who has a mental disorder, is at risk of significant harm and that certain circumstances are met. These circumstances are that the person is being subject or exposed to ill treatment or neglect, or that the person’s property is suffering loss or damage, or at risk of such loss or damage and the person is living alone or without care and unable to look after him or herself. Application is made to the sheriff, or justice of the peace, in urgent cases, for the removal of the person at perceived risk, and detention of that person for a maximum of 7 days.
65.Section 19 of the Act inserts new section 295A into the 2003 Act which places a new duty on MHOs to notify the Commission of the decision of the sheriff or justice, and any subsequent recall or variation of the removal order.
