Form 21 (British Columbia - Director's Warrant [Apprehension of Patient])

Form 21 (British Columbia - Director's Warrant [Apprehension of Patient])

Form 21 (British Columbia - Director's Warrant [Apprehension of Patient])

Primer

A Form 21 (Director's Warrant [Apprehension of Patient]), is a form under the British Columbia Mental Health Act that is completed and allows a director (or designate) to issue a form to recall a patient if an involuntary patient leaves the hospital without permission (i.e. - absconds).

Download Form 21

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Less Than 48 Hours

If a patient has been missing for <48 hours, the police can bring them back without a warrant
Afterwards, a Form 21 needs to be issued, and police have 60 days to bring the individual back to hospital (see below).

Length

The Form 21 is valid up to 60 days following the unauthorized leave after which the patient is considered to have been discharged.
If, however, the involuntary patient leaves the designated facility under any of the following circumstances, the warrant is valid indefinitely:
- While charged with an offence,
- Is liable to imprisonment, and/or
- Considered by the Director to be likely to endanger the patient's safety or the safety of others
The process for managing absconding and issuing a Form 21 depends on the facility's own absconding protocol/standard operating procedure.

Forms

Sometimes physicians complete a Form 4 medical certificate in error for a recalled patient, because they do not realize that the person is already an involuntary patient under the Act!

Police Involvement

If a patient returns to the unit/site following absconding, it is important to cancel the warrant and notify the police department to whom the report was initially made.

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