Part 2

The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland

Particular functions

Duty to bring specific matters to attention of Scottish Ministers and others etc.
8
1
If it appears to the Commission that a relevant person has, or may have, powers or duties, the exercise or performance of which might prevent or remedy or assist in preventing or remedying, as respects a person who has a mental disorder, any of the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2) below, the Commission shall—
a
bring the facts of the person’s case to the attention of the relevant person; and
b
if it considers it appropriate to do so, make recommendations as respects the case to the relevant person.
2
Those circumstances are—
a
the circumstances mentioned in section 11(2)(a), (d), (e) or (f) of this Act;
b
that—
i
the patient is detained in hospital and the detention is authorised by virtue of this Act or the 1995 Act; and
ii
there may be some impropriety in relation to that detention.
3
For the purposes of subsection (1) above, “relevant person” means—
a
the Scottish Ministers;
b
the Public Guardian;
c
a local authority;
d
a Health Board;
e
a Special Health Board;
f
a National Health Service trust;
g
a mental health officer;
h
a responsible medical officer;
i
the managers of a registered care service;
j
the managers of—
i
a prison; or
ii
a young offenders institution;
k
the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care;
l
a police force; or
m
such other person, or group of persons, as the Commission considers appropriate.
4
In subsection (3)(i) above, “registered care service” means a care service registered under Part 1 of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 8).