Q. Who is responsible for removing the patient to the Approved Centre in case of involuntary admission?

A. The applicant is responsible for arranging the removal of the patient, the subject of the recommendation to the Approved Centre. Where the applicant is unable to make such arrangements, the registered medical practitioner who made the recommendation must request the clinical director of the Approved Centre specified in the recommendation (or a consultant psychiatrist acting on his or her behalf) to arrange for members of staff of the Approved Centre concerned to remove the person to that centre. The assistance of the Garda Síochána may be requested (Section 13.3) if the clinical director of the Centre (or a consultant psychiatrist acting on his or her behalf) and the relevant registered medical practitioner are of the opinion that there is a serious likelihood of the person concerned causing immediate and serious harm to self or others. The Gardaí are obliged to assist members of staff of the Approved Centre in the removal of the person to the centre concerned.

Under Section 12 of the Act

Members of the Gardaí are empowered to enter, by force if necessary, any premises where they think the person concerned may be and may, if necessary detain and take into custody the person. Where a member of the Gardai takes a person into custody under (section12.1) he or she or any other member of the Garda shall make an application forthwith in a form specified FORM 3 to a registered medical practitioner for a recommendation. If a recommendation is made for involuntary admission to an Approved Centre a member of the Gardaí shall remove the person to the Approved Centre specified in the recommendation. (Section 12.5)

Assisted Admission Service

Nationwide Health Solutions Ltd was contracted by the Health Service Executive to provide an Assisted Admissions Service for the involuntary admission of patients to approved centres under the Mental Health Act 2001. The Assisted Admissions Service commenced in November 2006 and is fully funded by the HSE.

The Assisted Admissions Service is based in Naas, Co Kildare and so has the ability to respond in a timely manner to requests for service. The Assisted Admissions team consists of three Mental Health nurses and one driver. The service is available 24 hours a day all year round. The service is nationwide.

Should you have any queries in relation to the service, please contact the numbers below. The 24 hour phone number for the Assisted Admissions Service is 086 8565848. The Fax number is 045 898653.