Section 37

Under this section, you can be sent to hospital for treatment.

The Crown Court can make a hospital order before or after you have been convicted of a crime, The Magistrates' Court can only make a hospital order when you have been convicted of an offence that could be punished with a prison sentence. 

The court makes a hospital order on evidence from two doctors that:

• you have a mental disorder of a nature or degree that makes detention for medical treatment appropriate

• appropriate medical treatment is avaliable for you, and

• a hospital order is the most suitable option for you, after taking into account all the relevent circumstances (including your past history and character and other methordsd of dealing with your mental health problem that might be avaliable to the court).

You can be kept under this section for up to 6 months, and then can be renewed for a further 6 months, and then for 1 year at a time.