Early draft from act team

Mental Health Nursing,  May 1999  

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Draft proposals for the new Mental Health Act were published last month amid continuing controversy.

The committee reviewing the I983 Mental Health Act has published its draft proposals amid `deep regrets' from Mind that it is still planning to extend compulsory powers.

The review team, chaired by public law professor Genevra Richardson, says its proposals represent `initial ideas' before a formal consultation document is published later in the year. As widely expected, the team recommends extending compulsory powers to include settings outside hospital, and proposes the establishment of an independent tribunal to approve the imposition of compulsory powers.

The draft proposals acknowledge that the question of compulsory administration of medication in the community is `extremely controversial' but says in some circumstances the tribunal may decide it is appropriate `to permit the administration of medication within an appropriate and safe, non-hospital setting'.

However, mental health charity Mind said it 'deeply regrets' the team's continuing emphasis on the extension of compulsory powers to the community. Policy director Melba Wilson said: `There is no real evidence that increased compulsion reduces risk. On the contrary, there is a clear message from professionals and users that compulsory treatment in the community will drive people away from services.'

Copyright Community Psychiatric Nurses Association May 1999
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