Health (Mental Services) Act, 1981

PART IV

Safeguards for Patients

Information as to persons detained.

33.—(1) Any person may apply to a health board for information as to whether a particular person is detained in a special or district psychiatric centre in the functional area of the health board and, if he is so detained, as to the name and address of the centre and the name of the medical officer in charge of it.

(2) Any person may apply to the medical officer in charge of a district, special or registered psychiatric centre for—

(a) information as to whether a particular person is detained in the centre,

(b) a copy of the reception order under which a particular person is detained,

(c) the name of the applicant for a recommendation for the reception of a particular person,

(d) the name of any registered medical practitioner who made a recommendation in relation to that person.

(3) An application under this section shall be in writing and shall be granted if the health board or the medical officer, as the case may be, is satisfied that the application is made in good faith in the interest of the person in respect of whom it is made and that it would be in accord with that person's interest to grant it.

(4) Where the application is refused the health board or medical officer shall so inform the applicant in writing.

(5) A person whose application is refused may apply to the judge of the Circuit Court for the circuit where the health board has its office or the centre is located, as the case may be, for an orderdirecting the health board or the medical officer in charge of the centre to furnish the information and documents required and the health board or medical officer shall comply forthwith with any such order.