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<p>In general, when patients are moved to other hospitals the referring consultant
psychiatrist transfers responsibility to the receiving consultant. When a patient
is discharged from hospital, they are either followed up by a community mental health
service or by their general practitioner (GP) in primary care. When a patient is transferred
to a community mental health service, responsibility generally transfers to the consultant
in that service.</p><p>There are some exceptions, including:</p><p>- Patients detained
under the Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983 may be given ‘leave of absence’ to another
hospital as part of their discharge plan. The transferring consultant, who has ‘Responsible
Clinician’ status under the MHA, remains responsible for that patient during the authorised
leave period and may recall the patient if necessary; and</p><p>- When a patient is
followed up under a shared care arrangement between their GP and the secondary care
consultant. This is normally managed under a locally agreed protocol.</p><p> </p><p>There
are no time limits ascribed to these responsibilities.</p><p> </p>
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