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Section 18 AWOL Power — MRCPsych Paper B MCQ

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ModerateForensic PsychiatrySection 18 AWOL PowerMRCPsych Paper B

In England, a patient detained under section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983 leaves hospital without authorised section 17 leave. Which action is specifically authorised by section 18 of the Act?

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Correct answer: A — Take the patient into custody and return them to the hospital

Section 18 authorises an eligible patient who is absent without leave to be taken into custody and returned to the hospital or other required place. In this case, leaving hospital without authorised section 17 leave makes the detained patient AWOL. They may be returned by an AMHP, a member of the hospital staff, a police officer, or a person authorised in writing by the hospital managers. Option B describes the section 136 public-place power. Option E concerns a section 135 warrant. Option C refers to the section 5 holding powers for informal inpatients. Option D concerns supervised community treatment under section 17A, rather than the return of an AWOL patient.

Reference: Department of Health, Mental Health Act 1983: Code of Practice, Chapter 28, paragraphs 28.3–28.4, 2015. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/435512/MHA_Code_of_Practice.PDF