A&E legal responsibility

Law and practice Other
1

Hi
Is A&E (Acute Trust) legally responsible for the safety of all patients regardless of whether they are there for physical care or mental health liaison assessment?

2

I hope so.Place of safety.

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3

Yes they are

4

Hi i think it depends on the circumstances. If P is in A&E waiting to be seen by MHLT and absconds, the acute hospital will likely be responsible for that. If something happens during the course of the MHLT assessment, responsibility will depend on the circumstances.

5

It was established some years ago by court case/s e.g. Rabone v Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust [2012] UKSC 2.

If a patient enters hospital grounds for assessment/treatment informally or formally, the NHS trust becomes liable for their health and wellbeing regardless physical or mental health.

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