Guest guest Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Call to reform mental health plan MPs and peers believe the law could be used as a form of social controlA proposed reform of mental health laws could lead to people with only mild conditions being locked up and forcibly treated, MPs and peers have warned. The joint House of Commons and House of Lords Committee said the draft Mental Health Bill made it too easy to force a person into compulsory treatment. Current laws do not allow people with severe personality disorders who have committed no offence to be detained. But the committee warned the Bill could be used as a "social control". Ministers said the report's recommendations would be considered. Committee chairman Lord Carlile of Berriew said the bill was "fundamentally flawed". "It is too heavily focused on compulsion and currently there are neither the financial resources nor the workforce to implement it." Laws Former Home Secretary Jack Straw believed the loophole which means people with severe personality disorders led to the release of Michael Stone before he killed Lin Russell and her daughter in a hammer attack in Kent in 1996. The original 2002 draft bill proposed measures to detain mentally ill patients for their own protection and the protection of others, even if their condition was not treatable. There were also proposals to allow compulsory treatment in the community under community treatment orders. The committee's recommendations, if adopted by government, would ensure an ethical and practical framework for mental health legislation Dr Tony Zigmon Protecting the public? When it was published, an unprecedented 2,000 objections were made. Last autumn, a revised draft was published which tightened the definition of those the laws could apply to. But the committee said it feared the bill as it now stands could be used as a mental health anti-social behaviour order, or Asbo, - enforcing treatment on those who might be a nuisance, but do not actually pose a real threat. The bill says treatment can be enforced "for the protection of other persons". But the committee said this should be changed to cover people who "pose a significant risk of serious harm". Benefit It also said patients should never be treated under compulsion unless their decision making was impaired and the treatment was of therapeutic benefit. The wide definition of treatment at the moment meant people diagnosed with personality disorder or learning difficulties could be detained on the grounds of safety rather than benefit to their health. Paul Farmer, the chairman of the Mental Health Alliance, which represents the 50 largest mental health groups, said the government should withdraw the current bill and draw up a new version based on the committee's recommendations. "The committee has clearly listened to service users, carers, professionals and charities." Sophie Corlett, director of policy at mental health charity Mind, said the report was a "clear wake-up call" for the bill's supporters. Sane chief executive Marjorie Wallace said: "Changing the law alone will not work unless we ensure proper care and treatment, which are still so often lacking." And Dr Tony Zigmond, vice president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, added the draft bill would have undermined the trusts between patient, carer and psychiatrist. "The committee's recommendations, if adopted by government, would ensure an ethical and practical framework for mental health legislation." A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "We have received the report and will be reading it carefully. We will be publishing a full response in due course." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 That would be where the current laws being pushed by the [fill in the blank] in the white house is pushing. So far, IL has passed the law. More states currently have it being considered. If you live in IL and have children, welcome to birth to grave government run living! Lynda - Jo Cwazy Wednesday, March 23, 2005 5:03 AM More bad news from the BBC website Call to reform mental health plan MPs and peers believe the law could be used as a form of social controlA proposed reform of mental health laws could lead to people with only mild conditions being locked up and forcibly treated, MPs and peers have warned. The joint House of Commons and House of Lords Committee said the draft Mental Health Bill made it too easy to force a person into compulsory treatment. Current laws do not allow people with severe personality disorders who have committed no offence to be detained. But the committee warned the Bill could be used as a "social control". Ministers said the report's recommendations would be considered. Committee chairman Lord Carlile of Berriew said the bill was "fundamentally flawed". "It is too heavily focused on compulsion and currently there are neither the financial resources nor the workforce to implement it." Laws Former Home Secretary Jack Straw believed the loophole which means people with severe personality disorders led to the release of Michael Stone before he killed Lin Russell and her daughter in a hammer attack in Kent in 1996. The original 2002 draft bill proposed measures to detain mentally ill patients for their own protection and the protection of others, even if their condition was not treatable. There were also proposals to allow compulsory treatment in the community under community treatment orders. The committee's recommendations, if adopted by government, would ensure an ethical and practical framework for mental health legislation Dr Tony Zigmon Protecting the public? When it was published, an unprecedented 2,000 objections were made. Last autumn, a revised draft was published which tightened the definition of those the laws could apply to. But the committee said it feared the bill as it now stands could be used as a mental health anti-social behaviour order, or Asbo, - enforcing treatment on those who might be a nuisance, but do not actually pose a real threat. The bill says treatment can be enforced "for the protection of other persons". But the committee said this should be changed to cover people who "pose a significant risk of serious harm". Benefit It also said patients should never be treated under compulsion unless their decision making was impaired and the treatment was of therapeutic benefit. The wide definition of treatment at the moment meant people diagnosed with personality disorder or learning difficulties could be detained on the grounds of safety rather than benefit to their health. Paul Farmer, the chairman of the Mental Health Alliance, which represents the 50 largest mental health groups, said the government should withdraw the current bill and draw up a new version based on the committee's recommendations. "The committee has clearly listened to service users, carers, professionals and charities." Sophie Corlett, director of policy at mental health charity Mind, said the report was a "clear wake-up call" for the bill's supporters. Sane chief executive Marjorie Wallace said: "Changing the law alone will not work unless we ensure proper care and treatment, which are still so often lacking." And Dr Tony Zigmond, vice president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, added the draft bill would have undermined the trusts between patient, carer and psychiatrist. "The committee's recommendations, if adopted by government, would ensure an ethical and practical framework for mental health legislation." A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "We have received the report and will be reading it carefully. We will be publishing a full response in due course." To send an email to - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 of course..its the exact opposite here back in the 80's they decided that "eh, if you can walk, you are fine", and started emptying all the medical centers of those with mental handicaps and cut off funding in huge swaths.... Jo Cwazy Mar 23, 2005 5:03 AM More bad news from the BBC website Call to reform mental health plan MPs and peers believe the law could be used as a form of social controlA proposed reform of mental health laws could lead to people with only mild conditions being locked up and forcibly treated, MPs and peers have warned. The joint House of Commons and House of Lords Committee said the draft Mental Health Bill made it too easy to force a person into compulsory treatment. Current laws do not allow people with severe personality disorders who have committed no offence to be detained. But the committee warned the Bill could be used as a "social control". Ministers said the report's recommendations would be considered. Committee chairman Lord Carlile of Berriew said the bill was "fundamentally flawed". "It is too heavily focused on compulsion and currently there are neither the financial resources nor the workforce to implement it." Laws Former Home Secretary Jack Straw believed the loophole which means people with severe personality disorders led to the release of Michael Stone before he killed Lin Russell and her daughter in a hammer attack in Kent in 1996. The original 2002 draft bill proposed measures to detain mentally ill patients for their own protection and the protection of others, even if their condition was not treatable. There were also proposals to allow compulsory treatment in the community under community treatment orders. The committee's recommendations, if adopted by government, would ensure an ethical and practical framework for mental health legislation Dr Tony Zigmon Protecting the public? When it was published, an unprecedented 2,000 objections were made. Last autumn, a revised draft was published which tightened the definition of those the laws could apply to. But the committee said it feared the bill as it now stands could be used as a mental health anti-social behaviour order, or Asbo, - enforcing treatment on those who might be a nuisance, but do not actually pose a real threat. The bill says treatment can be enforced "for the protection of other persons". But the committee said this should be changed to cover people who "pose a significant risk of serious harm". Benefit It also said patients should never be treated under compulsion unless their decision making was impaired and the treatment was of therapeutic benefit. The wide definition of treatment at the moment meant people diagnosed with personality disorder or learning difficulties could be detained on the grounds of safety rather than benefit to their health. Paul Farmer, the chairman of the Mental Health Alliance, which represents the 50 largest mental health groups, said the government should withdraw the current bill and draw up a new version based on the committee's recommendations. "The committee has clearly listened to service users, carers, professionals and charities." Sophie Corlett, director of policy at mental health charity Mind, said the report was a "clear wake-up call" for the bill's supporters. Sane chief executive Marjorie Wallace said: "Changing the law alone will not work unless we ensure proper care and treatment, which are still so often lacking." And Dr Tony Zigmond, vice president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, added the draft bill would have undermined the trusts between patient, carer and psychiatrist. "The committee's recommendations, if adopted by government, would ensure an ethical and practical framework for mental health legislation." A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "We have received the report and will be reading it carefully. We will be publishing a full response in due course." To send an email to - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 That would be Reagan. He started with CA and finished with the whole U.S. Lynda - fraggle Wednesday, March 23, 2005 9:09 AM Re: More bad news from the BBC website of course..its the exact opposite here back in the 80's they decided that "eh, if you can walk, you are fine", and started emptying all the medical centers of those with mental handicaps and cut off funding in huge swaths.... Jo Cwazy Mar 23, 2005 5:03 AM More bad news from the BBC website Call to reform mental health plan MPs and peers believe the law could be used as a form of social controlA proposed reform of mental health laws could lead to people with only mild conditions being locked up and forcibly treated, MPs and peers have warned. The joint House of Commons and House of Lords Committee said the draft Mental Health Bill made it too easy to force a person into compulsory treatment. Current laws do not allow people with severe personality disorders who have committed no offence to be detained. But the committee warned the Bill could be used as a "social control". Ministers said the report's recommendations would be considered. Committee chairman Lord Carlile of Berriew said the bill was "fundamentally flawed". "It is too heavily focused on compulsion and currently there are neither the financial resources nor the workforce to implement it." Laws Former Home Secretary Jack Straw believed the loophole which means people with severe personality disorders led to the release of Michael Stone before he killed Lin Russell and her daughter in a hammer attack in Kent in 1996. The original 2002 draft bill proposed measures to detain mentally ill patients for their own protection and the protection of others, even if their condition was not treatable. There were also proposals to allow compulsory treatment in the community under community treatment orders. The committee's recommendations, if adopted by government, would ensure an ethical and practical framework for mental health legislation Dr Tony Zigmon Protecting the public? When it was published, an unprecedented 2,000 objections were made. Last autumn, a revised draft was published which tightened the definition of those the laws could apply to. But the committee said it feared the bill as it now stands could be used as a mental health anti-social behaviour order, or Asbo, - enforcing treatment on those who might be a nuisance, but do not actually pose a real threat. The bill says treatment can be enforced "for the protection of other persons". But the committee said this should be changed to cover people who "pose a significant risk of serious harm". Benefit It also said patients should never be treated under compulsion unless their decision making was impaired and the treatment was of therapeutic benefit. The wide definition of treatment at the moment meant people diagnosed with personality disorder or learning difficulties could be detained on the grounds of safety rather than benefit to their health. Paul Farmer, the chairman of the Mental Health Alliance, which represents the 50 largest mental health groups, said the government should withdraw the current bill and draw up a new version based on the committee's recommendations. "The committee has clearly listened to service users, carers, professionals and charities." Sophie Corlett, director of policy at mental health charity Mind, said the report was a "clear wake-up call" for the bill's supporters. Sane chief executive Marjorie Wallace said: "Changing the law alone will not work unless we ensure proper care and treatment, which are still so often lacking." And Dr Tony Zigmond, vice president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, added the draft bill would have undermined the trusts between patient, carer and psychiatrist. "The committee's recommendations, if adopted by government, would ensure an ethical and practical framework for mental health legislation." A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "We have received the report and will be reading it carefully. We will be publishing a full response in due course." To send an email to - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 That's the way it has been here too - now they swing the other way - from one extreme to the other. Jo - fraggle Wednesday, March 23, 2005 5:09 PM Re: More bad news from the BBC website of course..its the exact opposite here back in the 80's they decided that "eh, if you can walk, you are fine", and started emptying all the medical centers of those with mental handicaps and cut off funding in huge swaths.... Jo Cwazy Mar 23, 2005 5:03 AM More bad news from the BBC website Call to reform mental health plan MPs and peers believe the law could be used as a form of social controlA proposed reform of mental health laws could lead to people with only mild conditions being locked up and forcibly treated, MPs and peers have warned. The joint House of Commons and House of Lords Committee said the draft Mental Health Bill made it too easy to force a person into compulsory treatment. Current laws do not allow people with severe personality disorders who have committed no offence to be detained. But the committee warned the Bill could be used as a "social control". Ministers said the report's recommendations would be considered. Committee chairman Lord Carlile of Berriew said the bill was "fundamentally flawed". "It is too heavily focused on compulsion and currently there are neither the financial resources nor the workforce to implement it." Laws Former Home Secretary Jack Straw believed the loophole which means people with severe personality disorders led to the release of Michael Stone before he killed Lin Russell and her daughter in a hammer attack in Kent in 1996. The original 2002 draft bill proposed measures to detain mentally ill patients for their own protection and the protection of others, even if their condition was not treatable. There were also proposals to allow compulsory treatment in the community under community treatment orders. The committee's recommendations, if adopted by government, would ensure an ethical and practical framework for mental health legislation Dr Tony Zigmon Protecting the public? When it was published, an unprecedented 2,000 objections were made. Last autumn, a revised draft was published which tightened the definition of those the laws could apply to. But the committee said it feared the bill as it now stands could be used as a mental health anti-social behaviour order, or Asbo, - enforcing treatment on those who might be a nuisance, but do not actually pose a real threat. The bill says treatment can be enforced "for the protection of other persons". But the committee said this should be changed to cover people who "pose a significant risk of serious harm". Benefit It also said patients should never be treated under compulsion unless their decision making was impaired and the treatment was of therapeutic benefit. The wide definition of treatment at the moment meant people diagnosed with personality disorder or learning difficulties could be detained on the grounds of safety rather than benefit to their health. Paul Farmer, the chairman of the Mental Health Alliance, which represents the 50 largest mental health groups, said the government should withdraw the current bill and draw up a new version based on the committee's recommendations. "The committee has clearly listened to service users, carers, professionals and charities." Sophie Corlett, director of policy at mental health charity Mind, said the report was a "clear wake-up call" for the bill's supporters. Sane chief executive Marjorie Wallace said: "Changing the law alone will not work unless we ensure proper care and treatment, which are still so often lacking." And Dr Tony Zigmond, vice president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, added the draft bill would have undermined the trusts between patient, carer and psychiatrist. "The committee's recommendations, if adopted by government, would ensure an ethical and practical framework for mental health legislation." A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "We have received the report and will be reading it carefully. We will be publishing a full response in due course." To send an email to - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 , fraggle <EBbrewpunx@e...> wrote: > Same seems to have happened here (if you can walk you are well) as well locally from what I hear. Vijay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 that it was sorta sad..when nowadays i can look back and go "things weren't that bad"..compared to today... Lynda Mar 23, 2005 9:20 AM Re: More bad news from the BBC website That would be Reagan. He started with CA and finished with the whole U.S. Lynda - fraggle Wednesday, March 23, 2005 9:09 AM Re: More bad news from the BBC website of course..its the exact opposite here back in the 80's they decided that "eh, if you can walk, you are fine", and started emptying all the medical centers of those with mental handicaps and cut off funding in huge swaths.... Kick over the wall 'cause government's to fall How can you refuse it? Let fury have the hour, anger can be power D'you know that you can use it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 It's scarey! Jo - Lynda Wednesday, March 23, 2005 5:04 PM Re: More bad news from the BBC website That would be where the current laws being pushed by the [fill in the blank] in the white house is pushing. So far, IL has passed the law. More states currently have it being considered. If you live in IL and have children, welcome to birth to grave government run living! Lynda - Jo Cwazy Wednesday, March 23, 2005 5:03 AM More bad news from the BBC website Call to reform mental health plan MPs and peers believe the law could be used as a form of social controlA proposed reform of mental health laws could lead to people with only mild conditions being locked up and forcibly treated, MPs and peers have warned. The joint House of Commons and House of Lords Committee said the draft Mental Health Bill made it too easy to force a person into compulsory treatment. Current laws do not allow people with severe personality disorders who have committed no offence to be detained. But the committee warned the Bill could be used as a "social control". Ministers said the report's recommendations would be considered. Committee chairman Lord Carlile of Berriew said the bill was "fundamentally flawed". "It is too heavily focused on compulsion and currently there are neither the financial resources nor the workforce to implement it." Laws Former Home Secretary Jack Straw believed the loophole which means people with severe personality disorders led to the release of Michael Stone before he killed Lin Russell and her daughter in a hammer attack in Kent in 1996. The original 2002 draft bill proposed measures to detain mentally ill patients for their own protection and the protection of others, even if their condition was not treatable. There were also proposals to allow compulsory treatment in the community under community treatment orders. The committee's recommendations, if adopted by government, would ensure an ethical and practical framework for mental health legislation Dr Tony Zigmon Protecting the public? When it was published, an unprecedented 2,000 objections were made. Last autumn, a revised draft was published which tightened the definition of those the laws could apply to. But the committee said it feared the bill as it now stands could be used as a mental health anti-social behaviour order, or Asbo, - enforcing treatment on those who might be a nuisance, but do not actually pose a real threat. The bill says treatment can be enforced "for the protection of other persons". But the committee said this should be changed to cover people who "pose a significant risk of serious harm". Benefit It also said patients should never be treated under compulsion unless their decision making was impaired and the treatment was of therapeutic benefit. The wide definition of treatment at the moment meant people diagnosed with personality disorder or learning difficulties could be detained on the grounds of safety rather than benefit to their health. Paul Farmer, the chairman of the Mental Health Alliance, which represents the 50 largest mental health groups, said the government should withdraw the current bill and draw up a new version based on the committee's recommendations. "The committee has clearly listened to service users, carers, professionals and charities." Sophie Corlett, director of policy at mental health charity Mind, said the report was a "clear wake-up call" for the bill's supporters. Sane chief executive Marjorie Wallace said: "Changing the law alone will not work unless we ensure proper care and treatment, which are still so often lacking." And Dr Tony Zigmond, vice president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, added the draft bill would have undermined the trusts between patient, carer and psychiatrist. "The committee's recommendations, if adopted by government, would ensure an ethical and practical framework for mental health legislation." A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "We have received the report and will be reading it carefully. We will be publishing a full response in due course." To send an email to - To send an email to - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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