My mother is elderly and she has been unwell recently. I want to leave the hospital to visit her before she gets any worse. I was originally an involuntary patient so I'm worried that they won't let me go. Now I'm responding well to treatment I feel confident that I would return to the hospital so there's no real risk. What should I do?
Lawyer Answers (1): Answers from lawyers are general preliminary responses. They are not formal legal advice and cannot taken account of all your circumstances. They do not create a lawyer–client relationship.
Answer by LegalEagle™ staff, Northcote 3070 VIC
- If you are receiving compulsory treatment and are therefore a compulsory patient it is possible to request leave from the hospital. Before you can do this you should speak to your treatment team. A psychiatrist must approve the leave.
- If you leave the hospital to visit your family and do not return within the agreed time frame you can be brought back by police, ambulance or other mental health workers.