What Form 47 is for
When a person on a community treatment order stops following the plan, the ministry guide describes a sequence: you try to reach them and remind them of their obligations, you may tell their substitute decision-maker, and you may help them meet the plan. If you still believe they are not complying, Form 47 authorizes the police of Ontario to bring the person in for examination.
The order applies only to a person on an existing CTO, and only for the failures the form lists: missed appointments or treatment under the plan, or a refusal to let the physician review their condition.
Who completes it
The physician who issued or renewed the CTO completes and signs Form 47. It names the physician, agency or psychiatric facility that will do the examination, which can be you or another physician appointed to carry it out. The person subject to the order completes nothing.
How to fill in the order
The person and the CTO
Enter the person’s name and address, the date the CTO was issued or renewed, and the name and business address of the issuing or renewing physician. Take these from the current Form 45 so the order points at a CTO that is still in force.
The failure to comply
Tick whether the person failed to attend appointments or comply with treatment, or failed to permit a review of their condition. Your notes should show what was missed, when, and the steps you took to reach the person before issuing the order.
Reasonable cause
You must have reasonable cause to believe all three statements: the person needs continuing treatment or care and supervision in the community, meets the Form 1 criteria and is not currently an inpatient, and is likely without care to cause serious bodily harm or suffer substantial deterioration or serious physical impairment. Tick each harm that applies.
Where the person will be examined and the expiry
Give the address where police should bring the person, and the physician, agency or facility responsible for the examination. Enter the expiry date, 30 days after the date of issue, and sign with the municipality and date.
Physical description
The second page has space for a description so police can find the person. Add height, build, hair, distinguishing features and places they are often found, if known.
Common reasons it causes problems
- The CTO named on the order has expired or been terminated.
- No documented attempt to contact the person before issuing it.
- One of the three reasonable-cause statements isn’t supported.
- Police don’t have up-to-date contact details for the examining physician while the order is in force.
- Police aren’t told when the person attends voluntarily or the order is cancelled.
Submitting and who pays
Form 47 goes to the police, not to a payer. The notes on the form make you responsible for keeping police informed of the name, address and telephone number of the examining physician for as long as the order is in force. Keep a copy in the record.