Being an informal patient
As an informal patient you have agreed to come into hospital voluntarily.
You have the same rights as any person staying in any other type of hospital. On the ward or unit, you will sometimes be referred to as an informal or voluntary patient because you are not detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA).
Because of your informal status, you have certain rights during your stay on the ward. Equally, you have some responsibilities as well.
The purpose of this information is to give you some background information about the rights and responsibilities of informal patients.
