“We will work with Parliament on the Mental Health Bill to
ensure a modernised framework to deliver a safe and effective
service for people with mental health problems. The College is
particularly concerned that any compulsory treatment should have a
clear clinical purpose, and be of benefit to the patient,” said
Professor Sheila Hollins, President of the Royal College of
Psychiatrists.
The College has other significant concerns:
• compulsion should be used as a last resort
• patients and carers must receive a full assessment of their
health and social needs when they request it, and these assessments
must be adequately resourced
• detained patients should have a right to advocacy
• patients should be able to decide whether or not to accept
medical help if they have the capacity to make the decision for
themselves
“The new legislation should include principles that enshrine
underlying values into the Act, including a principle of
non-discrimination and respect for diversity, respect for carers
and that treatment should always be in the best interest of the
patient” said Dr Tony Zigmond, Honorary Vice President of the Royal
College of Psychiatrists.
“We will now put forward amendments in line with our concerns as
the Bill goes through Parliament. It is important that we work
towards producing a piece of legislation fit for the 21st century,”
continued Dr Zigmond.
For further information, please contact Liz Fox or Deborah
Hart in the Communications Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127