More on the UK Mental Health Bill

I gathered some quotes from articles on the UK Mental Health bill. Interesting how few people agree with it.


FROM: The Independent
The Bill, if approved, will allow local authorities to force compulsory treatment on mental patients whether or not it is beneficial. Wide-spread use of proposed Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) could put severe restrictions on patients after they have been discharged from hospital as well as governing where they live and what medication they take.
Paul Corry of Rethink. "Detention for reasons other than health benefit should be handled by non-health services."
The Bill is the third attempt to reform existing legislation. Previous efforts failed after fierce opposition.

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article2016145.ece


FROM: YOUNG PEOPLE NOW
The mental health bill, which amends part of the Mental Health Act 1983, would allow health services to detain mentally ill patients for treatment without their permission if they are perceived as a danger to others, whether their illness is curable or not. This would include 16- and 17-year-olds. Currently health services can only detain patients with curable problems.
Louis Appleby, national clinical director for mental health services at the Department of Health, said: "Sixteen- and 17-year-olds will be treated like adults. For under-16s we will need parental consent."

http://www.ypnmagazine.com/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=full_news&ID=12412


FROM: Rethink: reports on politics.co.uk
Dr Tony Zigmond, a psychiatrist in Leeds and Honorary Vice President at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: "Of course I sometimes need the authority to treat some of my patients without their consent. The problem with this Bill is that it will increase the stigma and fear that people face when they consider telling me about their mental health problems. As a doctor I need service users to trust that I will always put their health first. We need legislation with principles that strengthen the rights of service users and carers.”

http://www.politics.co.uk/press-releases/health/mental-health/mental-health/rethink-mental-health-service-users-families-and-staff-concerned-about-mental-health-bill-$459426.htm