Report outlines legal reforms to act

Mental health policy has developed faster and
more dynamically during the past two years than during any other
period, claims the Mental Health Act Commission in its Ninth
Biennial Report. However, the report, which was laid before
parliament on Monday, emphasises that detained patients are still
being failed and denied basic rights, such as access to fresh
air.

The report recommends that social services
should develop standard forms for approved social workers when they
admit a patient to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983. It
also suggests that standard formats should be developed for ASW’s
reports.

A further recommendation is that all the
relevant agencies, including social services, take particular note
of discharge planning requirements for patients subject to section
117 of the act. The findings are based on interviews with nearly
20,000 patients between 1999 and 2001.

– The Mental Health Act Commission Ninth
Biennial Report 1999-2001 from www.mhac.trent.nhs.uk