Back to Act Guide
Section 4
Emergency Admission
Civil SectionsWhat this section does
An emergency measure that lets you be admitted for assessment for up to 72 hours when only one doctor is available and delay would be dangerous.
Who it applies to
People needing urgent assessment where waiting for two doctors would cause dangerous delay.
Your rights
Right to information and an IMHA. No automatic tribunal right, but you can apply to hospital managers for discharge.
Time limits
Maximum 72 hours. Cannot be renewed. Must be converted to Section 2 (two doctors) before expiry to keep you longer.
How to challenge it
Ask the hospital managers to discharge you. You cannot apply to the tribunal while under Section 4, but 14-day tribunal rights revive if Section 2 is applied.
Key cases
Emergency detention standards; common review of proportionality under Article 5 ECHR.
Last updated: 8/5/2026