Other types of patients
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Anyone can seek admission to a hospital for psychiatric treatment. A person admitting themselves to hospital will be classified as a voluntary patient. A voluntary patient can only be given treatment if they agree to it. Private hospitals can only treat voluntary patients.
A voluntary patient may leave a hospital at any time or can be discharged by the authorised psychiatrist. However, if staff believe that a voluntary patient who wants to leave meets the criteria for compulsory treatment and detention as an involuntary patient, the patient may be detained under the provisions of involuntary admission.
Other types of patients
Chapter: 8.4: Mental illness
Contributor: Kate Windmill, Director of Legal Practice, Mental Health Legal Centre
Current as of: 1 September 2024
Law Handbook Page: 756
Next Section: Security patients
