Article 5 of the Saudi Mental Health Law
المادة 5 من نظام الرعاية الصحية النفسية
The Article regulates the General Supervisory Council's meetings at least every two months, its quorum, majority decisions, barring members from decisions affecting relatives, and deciding grievances.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
أ - يعقد المجلس اجتماعاته مرة - على الأقل - كل شهرين، أو بناء على طلب رئيس المجلس عند الحاجة.
ب - يكون انعقاد المجلس نظاميًّا بحضور الرئيس أو نائبه، وثلثي الأعضاء على الأقل.
جـ - يكون اتخاذ القرارات بأغلبية الأعضاء الحاضرين، وإذا تساوت الأصوات يرجح الجانب الذي صوت معه رئيس الاجتماع.
د - لا يجوز لرئيس المجلس، أو أي عضو من أعضائه؛ المشاركة أو المداولة في قرار يمس مريضاً له به صلة قرابة حتى الدرجة الرابعة.
هـ - يجب على المجلس البت في التظلمات التي يقدمها المرضى أو ذووهم أو من يمثلهم خلال مدة تحافظ على حقوق المريض، وتُحدَّد في اللائحة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 5 explained in plain English
This Article sets the working rules of the General Supervisory Council for Mental Health Care, whose powers are set out in Article 4:
- Meetings: at least once every two months, or at the request of the Council's chair when needed.
- Quorum: a meeting is valid when the chair or his deputy attends with at least two thirds of the members.
- Voting: decisions are taken by a majority of the members present, and where votes are equal, the side the chair of the meeting voted with prevails.
- Preventing conflicts of interest: neither the chair nor any member may take part in or deliberate on a decision affecting a patient to whom he is related up to the fourth degree.
- Deciding grievances: the Council must decide the grievances of patients, their relatives or their representatives within a period that protects the patient's rights, and the Implementing Regulations set that period.
These provisions give the patient safeguards: the quorum requirement prevents decisions by a small number, barring a relative from taking part protects the decision's impartiality, and requiring the Council to decide within a period that protects the patient's rights keeps grievances from being left pending. The Law does not state here the number of days for deciding but refers it to the Implementing Regulations, so no particular period should be assumed.
After this Article comes Article 6, which regulates the formation of local supervisory councils.
If you have a specific case, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in health regulations and patients' rights.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 5 of the Saudi Mental Health Law
How often does the General Supervisory Council for Mental Health Care meet?
At least once every two months, or at its chair's request when needed.
May a Council member vote on a decision concerning his relative?
No. The Law bars the chair and any member from taking part in or deliberating on a decision affecting a patient to whom he is related up to the fourth degree.
Within what period does the General Council decide a grievance?
Within a period that protects the patient's rights, set by the Implementing Regulations.
More articles on Mental Health Care Monitoring Boards
- Article 3
The Article regulates forming the General Supervisory Council for Mental Health Care by decision of the Minister of Health, its members, the four-year term, its secretariat and the nomination of members.
أ - يصدر وزير الصحة قراراً بتشكيل مجلس باسم "مجلس المراقبة العام للرعاية الصحية النفسية"؛ على النحو الآتي : 1 -مستشار شرعي من وزارة العدلرئيساً 2 -مستشار من وزا
- Article 4
The Article sets the powers of the General Supervisory Council, including overseeing the Law's application and monitoring facilities, creating local councils, hearing grievances and reviewing compulsory admission decisions.
يختص مجلس المراقبة العام للرعاية الصحية النفسية بالآتي: 1 - اقتراح تطوير وتحسين الرعاية الصحية النفسية ورفعه إلى مجلس الخدمات الصحية. 2 - الإشراف العام على تطبي
- Article 6
The Article regulates forming the local supervisory council for mental health care by decision of the Minister of Health, its members, the four-year term, its secretariat and the nomination of members.
أ - يصدر وزيرالصحة قرارتشكيل مجلس المراقبة المحلي للرعاية الصحية النفسية على النحو الآتي: 1 -مستشار شرعي من وزارة العدلرئيساً 2 -مستشار من وزارة الداخليةعضواً و
- Article 7
The Article sets the local council's powers, including supervising facilities, hearing grievances, canceling compulsory admission decisions and approving non-conventional treatment.
يختص مجلس المراقبة المحلي للرعاية الصحية النفسية بالآتي : 1 - الإشراف على تطبيق أحكام هذا النظام، والتأكد من التزام المنشآت العلاجية النفسية في جميع القطاعات ال
- Article 8
The Article regulates the local council's meetings every 15 days, its quorum and decisions, and requires it to answer grievances within 21 working days, failing which they may go to the General Council.
أ - تكون اجتماعات المجلس مرة كل (خمسة عشر) يوماً، أو بدعوة من رئيسه عند الحاجة. ب - يكون انعقاد المجلس نظاميًّا بحضور الرئيس أو نائبه وثلثي الأعضاء على الأقل. ج
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.