Section 48: Removal to hospital of other prisoners.

Mental Health Act 1983 · 1983 c. 20View on legislation.gov.uk

Part III: Patients Concerned in Criminal Proceedings or Under Sentence

If in the case of a person to whom this section applies the Secretary of State is satisfied by the same reports as are required for the purposes of section 47 above that

that person is suffering from mental disorder of a nature or degree which makes it appropriate for him to be detained in a hospital for medical treatment; and
he is in urgent need of such treatment; and
appropriate medical treatment is available for him;

the Secretary of State shall have the same power of giving a transfer direction in respect of him under that section as if he were serving a sentence of imprisonment.

This section applies to the following persons, that is to say—

persons detained in a prison or remand centre, not being persons serving a sentence of imprisonment or persons falling within the following paragraphs of this subsection;
persons remanded in custody by a magistrates' court;
civil prisoners, that is to say, persons committed by a court to prison for a limited term ..., who are not persons falling to be dealt with under section 47 above;
persons detained under the Immigration Act 1971 or under section 62 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (detention by Secretary of State).

Subsections (2) and (3) of section 47 above shall apply for the purposes of this section and of any transfer direction given by virtue of this section as they apply for the purposes of that section and of any transfer direction under that section.

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Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.