This article is from page 7 of the 2006-10-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 7 JPG
STAFF and patients of Clare’s mental health services are to hold a party this evening (Tuesday) to mark the end of admission of patients under the 1945 Mental Treatment Act.
The long-awaited Part II of the Mental Health Act of 2001, which comes into force on November 1, significantly reforms existing legislation concerning the involuntary admission and treatment of patients, bringing Irish legislation into conformity with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
This legislation safeguards the rights of individuals who are detained for mental health care and introduces greater protection, providing additional safeguards for detained patients and also protects the clinician in their decision to detain.
When Part II of the Mental Health Act of 2001 is implemented tomorrow (Wednesday), the Mental Health Tribunals Division of the Mental Health Commission will be responsible for organising mental health tribunals for all patients admitted on an involuntary basis. Under the new legislation, patients involuntarily detained will have the right to attend and be represented at the mental health tribunal by a free legal representative who is appointed by the Mental Health Commission.
The commission will also arrange for an independent medical examination of the patient to be carried out by an independent consultant psychiatrist. The tribunal, which can either detain the patient or revoke or affirm the admission, will issue its recommendation within 21 days of the admission in most cases.