Temporary Leave for Patients

Temporary Leave for Patients

a. At a time, a patient can be sent on a leave for a period of 14 days from the time denoted in BHT.

Leave is only applicable for Temporary Admissions.

b. The maximum time a patient can extend this leave shall not exceed 14 days from the returning after the 1st leave.

c. If a patient does not return from leave as per the noted date in the BHT; it is allowed to keep the

BHT open for 14 days from the noted return date. During this time the relevant unit must make the maximum effort to ensure the patient returns.

d. If the patient has not returned as per time given in section (c), the BHT should be closed and a diagnosis card posted to the given address; a new BHT will be issued in case the patient returns after the given grace period.

e. Patients, who request continuous leave beyond the allowed leave, can be allotted a community file and the BHT can be closed.

f. The system of leave currently in use at NIMH which has been the routine practice for a long time has supportive and beneficial effects in the Patient Care process.

g. Please note that the giving of leave must be decided by or in consultation with the treating

Consultant or his/her Senior Registrar. It is encouraged to use Community Files for patients requiring longer close follow up through NIMH. The duration of the period of leave will be at the discretion of the treating Consultant.

h. The seals shown below can be used to document the leave clearly on the BHT.

Date: Time:

The patient is fit to be given a short leave. It is beneficial for his/her management plan.

........................................... Consultant/ SR/ Reg/ MO

Patient and/or his/her guardian have been educated about the discharge drugs and signs of relapse and the date for next visit and other relevant information. Date:

Director/ NIMH

Sir

Please authorise a short leave for this patient for ............ days.

(pending approval)

Thank you

.............................. Reg/MO – Unit.......

................................... Ward NO

Patient or guardian needs to make a note here in their preferred language with regard to understanding the procedures and practices to be followed while at home.

Date for return: ............................ Leave Authorized

-------------------------------Director – NIMH Date: