In re Shirley C.

*844OPINION OF THE COURT

Denis R. Hurley, J.

INTRODUCTION

By order to show cause returnable on July 24, 1987, the petitioner, in his capacity as acting executive director of Pilgrim Psychiatric Center (hereinafter Hospital), seeks an order authorizing a "modified radical mastectomy of the left breast” to be performed on Shirley C., a patient at the facility. That request is opposed by the patient’s daughter, Sonia Schwartz. Mrs. Schwartz was granted intervenor status in the proceeding with the consent of the Assistant Attorney-General, representing the Hospital, and the Mental Health Information…