Woman seeks order for release from psychiatric hospital

A woman who claims she received no treatment for a psychiatric condition over 44 days in a psychiatric hospital after she refused prescribed treatment has sought a High Court order for her release.

Woman seeks order for release from psychiatric hospital

The case, described by Mr Justice Gerard Hogan as “unusual”, raises issues under the Mental Health Act including how a person who is a voluntary patient may have their status altered to involuntary. The judge will rule on the matter today.

A central issue concerns whether there is a power to detain a person admitted as a voluntary patient who refuses treatment but also refuses to leave. While the Mental Health Act provides such a power where a person tries to escape, the judge was told the sides dispute whether it caters for involuntary detention of a patient who refuses to leave unless she is transferred to another hospital.

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