166Leave of absence

166 Leave of absence (1) This section applies to a person who: (a) is admitted to an approved treatment facility as an involuntary patient; and (b) is not a prisoner. Section 83 provides for the granting of leave of absence to a prisoner. (2) An authorised psychiatric practitioner may grant the person leave of absence from the facility. (3) Leave of absence: (a) must not be granted except in accordance with approved procedures; and (b) must be recorded in the approved form; and (c) is subject to the conditions determined by the practitioner. (4) An authorised psychiatric practitioner may cancel the leave if satisfied, on reasonable grounds: (a) the person is likely to suffer from serious mental or physical deterioration as a result of a change in the person's mental state; or (b) the person is likely to cause harm to himself or herself or to

Mental Health and Related Services Act 1998 133 (c) the person has failed to comply with a condition of the leave. (5) The practitioner who cancels the leave must take all reasonable steps to inform the person or the person's representative that the leave has been cancelled.