A major government-commissioned study into the
international experience of mental health
community treatment orders has found it impossible to say
whether they are beneficial or harmful.
The report, published last week, found "no robust evidence"
about their effects on outcomes such as hospital readmission or
patients' quality of life.
Shadow health minister Tim Loughton criticised the "disgraceful"
timing in publishing the report the day after the Lords' final
debate on the bill.
Community treatment orders would allow patients to be
compulsorily treated in the community following a period of
detention in hospital.
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Simeon Brody