Parliament refuses to drop compulsory treatment orders

The Scottish parliament has refused to back down over compulsory
treatment orders contained in the new Mental Health (Scotland)
Bill, writes Nicola Barry.

Two amendments put to MSPs by a group of 62 charities led by the
Scottish Association for Mental Health SAMH), were rejected.

Scottish nationalist MSP Adam Ingram, proposed both amendments.
He wanted CTOs only to be imposed on people who had previously
relapsed while off medication, who were a risk to themselves or
others or who had some history of failing to take medication while
unsupervised.

He also proposed that tribunals have the power to prevent a
particular treatment being given to someone who did not want
it.

Richard Norris, policy officer for SAMH, said: “We are very
disappointed that the committee has not agreed these amendments.
They would have protected the rights of some of Scotland’s most
vulnerable citizens.”