52A—Visits to and inspection of authorised community mental health
facilities
(1) Subject to this
Division, an authorised community mental health facility—
(a) must
be visited and inspected at least once in every 2 month period by
2 or more community visitors; and
(b) may
be visited at any time by 2 or more community visitors.
(2) However, the
Principal Community Visitor may visit an authorised community mental health
facility alone at any time.
(3) On a visit to an
authorised community mental health facility, a community visitor must—
(a) so
far as practicable, inspect all parts of the facility used for or relevant to
the care, treatment or control of patients; and
(b) take
any other action required under the regulations.
(4) After any visit to
an authorised community mental health facility, the community visitors must
(unless 1 of them is the Principal Community Visitor) report to the
Principal Community Visitor about the visit in accordance with the
requirements of the Principal Community Visitor.
(5) A visit may be
made with or without previous notice and at any time of the day or night, and
be of such length, as the community visitors think appropriate.
(6) A visit may be
made at the request of a patient or a guardian, medical agent, relative, carer
or friend of a patient or any person who is providing support to a patient
under this Act.