Most people treated at our hospitals and Trust locations, have agreed or volunteered to be there.
However, you can be held under the Mental Health Act (1983). Some people call this sectioning. This means you may be treated without your agreement.
People detained under the Mental Health Act need urgent treatment for their mental health. They may be at risk of harm to themselves or others. You can read more NHS information about the Mental Health Act.
Sections of the act
There are six main sections of the act, as well as other sections which apply to anyone who comes to hospital from court or prison:
- Section 2 – Admission for assessment
- Section 3 – Admission for treatment
- Section 4 – Admission for assessment in cases of emergency
- Section 5 (2) – Application in respect of patient already in hospital
- Section 5 (4) – Application in respect of patient already in hospital.
- Section 136 – Removal etc of mentally disordered persons without a warrant
Easy read information
We recommend the national NHS Easy Read information about the Mental Health Act.
In addition, you may find these Easy Read PDFs helpful:
Section 5(4).
A nurse’s power to detain a person being treated for a mental disorder as a hospital inpatient.
Section 5(2).
Detention of patients already in hospital.
Section 4.
Detention in hospital for assessment in an emergency.
Section 2.
Admission to hospital for assessment.
Section 3.
Admission to hospital for treatment.
Section 35.
Remand to hospital for assessment.
Section 36.
Remand to hospital treatment.
Section 37.
Your rights under the Mental Health Act section 37.
Section 37/41.
Your rights under the Mental Health Act and restriction order under Section 41.
Section 38.
Interim hospital order.
Section 41_5.
Patients whose restrictions have come to an end.
Section 47.
Prisoners moved from prison to hospital for treatment.
Section 47_49.
Transfer to hospital with restrictions of a person serving a sentence of imprisonment.
Section 48.
Transfer to hospital of an unsentenced prisoner (with or without restrictions).
Section 17A.
Supervised community treatment.
Section 17E.
Recall to hospital of a patient on supervised community treatment.
