http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/20/section/68AMental Health Act 1983An Act to consolidate the law relating to mentally disordered persons.1983-05-09texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-04-09Expert Participation2026-04-06 Part V Mental Health Review Tribunals Applications and references concerning Part II patients<Addition ChangeId="d29p9180" CommentaryRef="c19872011">Power to reduce periods under section 68</Addition>68A1The appropriate national authority may from time to time by order amend subsection (2) or (6) of section 68 above so as to substitute for a period mentioned there such shorter period as is specified in the order.2The order may include such transitional, consequential, incidental or supplemental provision as the appropriate national authority thinks fit.3The order may, in particular, make provision for a case where—aa patient in respect of whom subsection (1) of section 68 above applies is, or is about to be, transferred from England to Wales or from Wales to England; andbthe period by reference to which subsection (2) or (6) of that section operates for the purposes of the patient's case is not the same in one territory as it is in the other.4A patient is transferred from one territory to the other if—ahe is transferred from a hospital, or from guardianship, in one territory to a hospital in the other in pursuance of regulations made under section 19 above;bhe is removed under subsection (3) of that section from a hospital or accommodation in one territory to a hospital or accommodation in the other;che is a community patient responsibility for whom is assigned from a hospital in one territory to a hospital in the other in pursuance of regulations made under section 19A above; ordon the revocation of a community treatment order in respect of him under section 17F above he is detained in a hospital in the territory other than the one in which the responsible hospital was situated; ...e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Provision made by virtue of subsection (3) above may require or authorise the managers of a hospital determined in accordance with the order to refer the patient's case to the appropriate tribunal.6In so far as making provision by virtue of subsection (3) above, the order—amay make different provision for different cases;bmay make provision which applies subject to specified exceptions.7Where the appropriate national authority for one territory makes an order under subsection (1) above, the appropriate national authority for the other territory may by order make such provision in consequence of the order as it thinks fit.8An order made under subsection (7) above may, in particular, make provision for a case within subsection (3) above (and subsections (4) to (6) above shall apply accordingly).9 In this section, “ the appropriate national authority ” means— ain relation to a hospital in England, the Secretary of State;bin relation to a hospital in Wales, the Welsh Ministers.Words in s. 68A(5) substituted (3.11.2008) by The Transfer of Tribunal Functions Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2833), art. 6, Sch. 3 para. 49Ss. 68, 68A substituted (3.11.2008) for s. 68 by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 37(3), 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(l) (with art. 3, Sch.)Word in s. 68A(4) inserted (1.7.2012) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 42(2)(a), 306(4) (with s. 42(5)); S.I. 2012/1319, art. 2(3)Word in s. 68A(4) omitted (1.7.2012) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 42(2)(b), 306(4) (with s. 42(5)); S.I. 2012/1319, art. 2(3)S. 68A(4)(e) omitted (1.7.2012) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 42(2)(c), 306(4) (with s. 42(5)); S.I. 2012/1319, art. 2(3)