VPRS 18587 Leave of Absence and Transfers Register

This series comprises of a register recording leave of absences (also known as short term trial leave) and Section 84(1) transfers of patients from Larundel Hospital (VA 5082) to Mont Park (VA 2846)The first part of the register contains the following information in relation to leave of absences:- date of admission- date on leave- name of patient- the date on which the patient was due to return- the date of actual return, and- whether the patient was discharged or died whilst on leave of absence.Until the end of 1965 leave was granted in 3 month blocks. After that date it was granted for shorter, but varying, periods.The second part of the register contains the following information in relation to Section 84 (1) transfers:- date of admission- warrant number- name of patient- date of transfer- name of hospital, and- due date of return.The only destination for the small number of patients recorded in this part of the register was the Mont Park Surgical Unit.Pursuant to Section 87 of the Lunacy Act 1890, the superintendent of any institution could permit any patient to be absent therefrom upon trial leave for such period as may be thought fit upon parole for such period not exceeding seven days or with the consent of the chief medical officer for such longer period as was thought fit and could, from time to time without the return of such patient, renew such leave or parole. Likewise, the Inspector could of his own authority permit any patient to be absent from any institution upon trial leave or upon parole for such period as he thought fit.Leave gave patients an opportunity to be released for a specified period into another person's custody, to test whether the patient should be discharged. Whilst a number of terms have been used to describe leave, essentially it falls into two (2) categories: 7 day trial leave also known as leave of absence or short term trial leave. As the name suggests, it was leave granted for a specified period of time. The other form was trial leave or probation. This was leave granted for a substantial amount of time and was often extended. Patients were often discharged whilst on trial leave.Pursuant to Section 84(1) of the Mental Health Act 1959 (No. 6605) the chief medical officer could direct the transfer of a patient from one institution to another similar institution.