Mental Health
Ginnie Lambert is an accredited member of the Law Society Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel and a member of the Mental Health Lawyers Association as well as being a member of Resolution and an accredited member of the Law Society Children Panel
Under the Mental Health Act 1983 people who suffer from a "Mental Disorder" (this can include mental illness such as depression and schizophrenia) can be detained in hospital and given treatment without their permission.
The Law requires that two Doctors and a third person, normally a specialist Social Worker, have to decide if a person can be detained and there are defined conditions when you can be detained in hospital:-
- Admission for assessment which lasts for up to 28 days (Section 2)
- Admission for treatment which lasts for up to 6 months and can be renewed thereafter (Section 3)
- Admission for assessment in an emergency, normally when only one Doctor is available, which lasts for up to 72 hours (Section 4)
If a person is detained under Sections 2 or 3 and does not agree with this their nearest relative can apply to have them discharged. However if the Hospital believes they are likely to be a danger to themselves or other people and make a written report there is then the right to apply to a Mental Health Review Tribunal who have to decide if a patient should be discharged.
Legal Representation is available free from the Community Legal Advice Fund and will cover representation at the tribunal and obtaining an independent psychiatric report if required.
Ginnie Lambert is approved by the Law Society to be on their list of approved Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel practitioners and has considerable experience in this field. The Hospital can help you contact us or you could ask a relative to do so.
