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Section 4 (Mental Health Act)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Section 4 allows emergency detainment for the purpose of assessment for a duration of up to 72 hours.

The application can be made by the nearest relative or an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) and must be supported by one doctor. The doctor must have examined the patient within the previous 24 hours.

The recommendation should indicate the urgent nature of the application such that detention under section 2 would involve unacceptable delay.

A second medical recommendation from an approved doctor, under section 12 of the Act, received within 72 hours will allow further detention under section 2.

Duration is for not more than 72 hours.

Renewal is not possible. But by means of a second medical recommendation, which must be signed and received by the hospital managers within three days of the admission, Section 4 can be converted into Section 2.


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