What is the difference between deferred discharge and delayed discharge?
My recent experience is that ‘delayed’ discharge is generally a term used within hospital to mean someone who is fit for discharge subject to other things being in place. The best example being the patient who is medically optimised for discharge and awaiting a care home placement.
Deferred discharge would have different meaning dependent on the section. Deferred discharge in an unrestricted case would be a fixed date when the detention would end.
Deferred discharge in the context of a restricted patient is a preliminary decision to discharge subject to conditions being satisfied.
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Can I ask if you are a sole practitioner or do you have a supervisor? You do need to have a copy of Jones Mental Health Act Manual as a lot of your questions will be answered in Jones.
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Just to clarify, I am a receptionist at a law firm that undertakes work in areas including mental health and personal injury. I am not a fee earner or practitioner myself, but due to my role I regularly see Mental Health Act–related documents and correspondence, which naturally raises questions for me.
When I forward these documents to the relevant departments and fee earners, I often find myself wanting to better understand the issues, although I do not currently have a supervisor or anyone specific to ask these questions. This is purely out of personal and professional interest.
I was not previously aware of Jones’ Mental Health Act Manual, but thank you for mentioning it. I will certainly look into getting a copy, as it sounds like a very useful resource.
Your previous questions gave a different impression. For example you asked how you should best read the medical notes and as a receptionist my view is you shouldn’t be reading the medical notes of clients, that is for the FE. Whatever your status if you do want knowledge about the MHA then a copy of Jones will be your best friend, there should be copies in your firms MH dept, if not you can buy a copy, its updated every year.