Hong Kong Ordinances

MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE - SECT 32

Extension of period of detention of a patient under observation

(1) If a patient under observation in a mental hospital has been examined by 2
registered medical practitioners, either separately or together, and the 2
registered medical practitioners are of the opinion that it is necessary that
the patient under observation should be detained in a mental hospital for a
further period for the purpose of observation, investigation and treatment,
they may complete a certificate in the prescribed form and forward it to a
District Judge. (Amended 35 of 1969 s. 2)

(2) If a District Judge who has received a certificate in accordance with the
provisions of subsection (1) is of the opinion that it is necessary for the
person named in the certificate to be detained in a mental hospital for a
further period of observation, investigation and treatment, he shall
countersign the certificate and shall forward it to the medical superintendent
of the mental hospital in which the person is detained. (Amended 35 of 1969 s.
2)

(3) Only one extension of not more than 21 days shall be made in accordance
with this section to any order made in accordance with section  31 . (Amended
46 of 1988 s. 6)

(4) Subject to section 36, no person shall be detained in a mental  hospital
after the expiration of the period of any order made in accordance with
section 31 and of any extension thereto made in accordance with this section
unless he has become a voluntary patient. (Amended 46 of 1988 s. 6)