What is an informal patient?
If you have agreed to come into hospital and have given consent for the treatment you are receiving, you will be described as an informal patient.
As an informal patient you have certain rights and this leaflet explains what they are.
Your rights to leave the hospital
As an informal patient you have the right to leave the ward at any time during the day and come back at any time. However, as we are responsible for the safety and care of all patients it is important that you always tell a member of staff when you are leaving then ward, when you expect to return, where you are going and how we may contact you.
If you wish to leave the ward and we have concerns about your health, we will discuss this with you and may ask you to wait and see a doctor. If you wish to go home for a night or for the weekend, please talk to your named nurse or a doctor. If your leave is granted we will keep a bed for you.
Driving whilst receiving treatment
If you hold a driving licence your consultant doctor or GP will advise you to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of your medical or mental health condition, as you may be required to surrender your licence. If you have any concerns, please discuss with the clinical team.
Your rights regarding treatment
You have come into hospital voluntarily to receive care, treatment and, or therapy and we aim to involve you at all stages. The doctors responsible for your care may feel a particular medication, treatment or therapy can help you and they will explain any medication they have recommended so that you understand what to expect. If you are unhappy with any treatment recommended by your doctor, the medical team responsible for your care will discuss options with you and may offer the best alternative.
You may wish to discuss your treatment with friends or relatives, they cannot however, speak on your behalf or consent to your treatment. The consent to treatment must come from you. As you are an informal patient, you cannot be given treatment without your consent, and even if you give consent to treatment, you can withdraw your consent at any time, if you choose to do so.
If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to discuss them with you named nurse or with an independent advocate.
Observation
We observe all patients routinely, whether formal or informal patients, to ensure their well being and safety. We may check how you are more often if we feel it is appropriate. If you have any concerns regarding our observation procedures, please do not hesitate to discuss them with your named nurse.
Access to health records
We will discuss and seek agreement on your care plan with you. You will be given copies of this. You have a right to ask for access to your health records and we encourage informal access. That means that with your consultants consent, your named nurse will go through your medical records with you on the ward.
If your consultant feels that it would not be appropriate for you to see your medical records at the time you ask, you may apply formally for access by filling in a form. Your application will be sent to the person responsible for access to medical records under the Data Protection Act (1998). Your access request must be responded to within 21 days of receipt of your written application if you are still in hospital, or 40 days if you are not in hospital.
Please ask your named nurse for a form if you wish to do so.
Seven day follow up
When you leave hospital, if you have one or more of the following features you will have a follow-up face-to-face appointment within seven days.
- Severe mental illness.
- Discharge on enhanced level of care programme approach (CPA).
- Risk of suicide.
- Detention under the Mental Health Act because of risk of suicide.
The follow-up may be achieved in a number of ways. This can include a home visit, an outpatient appointment, a visit back to the hospital ward or contact with an established service such as day care.
Further information
Some patients are formally admitted under the Mental Health Act (1983). If you would like information about the use of the act, please speak to a member of your care team, who will help you with the information you want.
If you have any further concerns or questions or for information regarding advocacy, you can contact your named nurse, the ward manager, modern matron or the hospital mental health act coordinator. Alternatively, you can contact:
Useful contacts
- Carers team
Document control
Document reference: DP7815/10.24.
Page last reviewed: December 12, 2024
Next review due: December 12, 2025
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