Mental Health Act - emergency and short-term powers: guide

A guide for service users and their carers to the Mental Health Act emergency and short-term powers (2008 version).


2 When might emergency powers be used?

People can become unwell and in need of emergency care and treatment for mental disorder in a variety of different circumstances. They might be in a public place at the time, or at home, or perhaps already in hospital receiving treatment as a voluntary patient. The Act contains a range of powers which might apply in these different circumstances.

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