Compulsion has not increased in Scotland

Compulsory community treatment has received “widespread acceptance” in Scotland but only because its use has been strictly controlled, according to a report.

The King’s Fund study into the first six months of communitybased compulsory treatment orders found the estimated 176  people subject to them were largely “revolving door” patients with a history of serious illness, non-compliance and relapse.

It said there was no evidence for an increase in compulsion since the orders came into effect in October 2005 and that they were generally perceived as fair.

But the report added that Scottish orders required authorisation from an independent tribunal, unlike the supervised community treatment proposed for England and Wales in the new Mental Health Bill, which would be under the control of clinicians.

It called for the bill to ensure treatment was reserved for revolving door patients and to “transparently bolster patient rights”.

● Community-based Compulsory Treatment Orders in Scotland: The Early Evidence