How long does it last?
72 hours
What is the reason?
If the compliance with the normal procedure of Sections 2 & 3 would cause undesirable delay and increase suffering and risk.
Who can issue a Section 4?
An Approved Social Worker (ASW) or the nearest relative. The person applying for the section must have seen the Patient within the last 14 days.
Medical Say So:
One Doctor must determine that it is of utter urgency for the patient to be admitted under Section 2 and waiting for another Doctor to confirm the need for Section 2 would cause undesirable delay and increase suffering and/or risk. Patient must be admitted within 24 hours of request for detention or medical examination. The Doctor must have seen the person within the last 24 hours.
