The Northern Ireland equivalent of the Mental Health Act 1983 (which
in general extends to England and Wales) is the Mental Health (Northern
Ireland) Order 1986.
A detained patient can only be moved
between a hospital in England or Wales and one in Northern Ireland
under authority if a warrant issued by the administration which covers
the location of the sending hospital and this can only be issued with
the agreement of the administration which covers the location of the
receiving hospital.
The receiving administration has to check
with the proposed receiving hospital that they are aware of the
transfer and that, if it is made, they have a bed available. Transfers
of people subject to guardianship are also possible but occur far less
frequently.
The sections of the Act governing transfers from
England or Wales to Northern Ireland are sections 81 and 81A. Those
for moves in the opposite direction are 82 and 82A. Similar provisions
apply to a transfer between a hospital in England or Wales and Scotland
and further provisions govern the transfer of a patient to or from the
Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.