Section 4 Emergency Admission — MRCPsych Paper B MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

EasyMental Health LawSection 4 Emergency AdmissionMRCPsych Paper B

In England, an approved mental health professional assesses an adult in the community. The criteria for detention for assessment are met, detention is urgently necessary, and obtaining a second medical recommendation would cause undesirable delay. Only one medical recommendation is available. Under the Mental Health Act 1983, which section authorises admission to hospital in these circumstances?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Section 4

Section 4 is the emergency application for admission for assessment. It permits admission on one medical recommendation where detention is urgently necessary and waiting for a second recommendation would cause undesirable delay. It lasts for a maximum of 72 hours unless a second medical recommendation is received, at which point the authority continues as a section 2 application. Section 2 is the standard assessment provision and ordinarily requires two medical recommendations. Section 3 is for admission for treatment and also requires two recommendations. Section 5(2) is a temporary holding power for a person who is already an inpatient, rather than an admission power from the community. Section 136 is a police power to remove a person from a public place to a place of safety, not an application for hospital admission.

Reference: Sheffield Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. Commonly used sections of the Mental Health Act 1983: sections 2, 3, 4, 5(2) and 136. https://www.sheffieldpartnership.nhs.uk/service-users-and-carers/commonly-used-sections-mental-health-act-1983