Commentary on Sections Part 10 – Criminal Justice Chapter 1 - Remand to Hospital Section 166 - Effect of remand to hospital
This section provides for the effect of remanding an accused person to hospital. Where the accused person has been remanded, a constable or persons directed by the court must take the accused person to hospital. The section also provides that the managing authority of a hospital must admit and detain the accused person for the duration of the remand period.
The court has the power to terminate the remand at any time if it thinks it appropriate to do so.
This section also provides that an accused person may obtain an independent medical report for the purposes of applying to the court for a termination of the remand.
Provision is also made for the arrest without warrant and return to court of an accused person who absconds from hospital or absconds whilst they are being taken to or from hospital. When the accused person is brought before the court, the remand can be terminated and the court can deal with the person in any way in which it would have dealt with the person had they not been remanded to hospital.
The section also provides that the court can further remand an accused person, without the person being brought before the court, if they are represented by counsel or a solicitor who is given an opportunity of being heard by the court.