Part VU.K. Admission to and Detention in Hospital and Guardianship

Functions of relatives of patientsS

55 Nearest relative of child under guardianship etc.S

[F1(1)Where—

(a)a guardian has been appointed for a child who has not attained the age of eighteen years; or

(b)there is in force a residence order, or a custody order, granted by a court in the United Kingdom, or an analogous order granted by a court outwith the United Kingdom (being an order which is entitled to recognition in Scotland), identifying a person as the person with whom a child under the age of sixteen years is to live,

that guardian or person shall, to the exclusion of any other person, be deemed to be the child’s nearest relative.]

(2)Section 53(4) of this Act shall apply in relation to a person who is, or who is one of the persons, deemed to be the nearest relative of a patient by virtue of this section as it applies in relation to a person who would be the nearest relative under subsection (3) of that section.

[F2(3)In this section “guardian” does not include a guardian under this Part of this Act or, in relation to a child, a guardian whose appointment takes effect under section 7, or on an order under section 11(1), of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 where there is a parent who has parental responsibilities and parental rights in relation to the child.]

F3(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .