Health minister defends draft mental health bill proposals

Health minister Rosie Winterton has denied that it is the
government’s intention to imply that people with learning
difficulties would be brought under the draft Mental Health Act,
writes Sally Gillen.

Giving evidence to a committee of peers and MPs this week,
Winterton also denied that community treatment orders would lead to
people being placed under house arrest.

Safeguards, including a tribunal system that reviews care after
28 days, would prevent CTOs being misused, she insisted.

It is estimated that between 200 and 300 so-called revolving
doors patients could be subject to CTOs.

Winterton said: “Community treatment orders are an
important aspect to the bill. Service provision has changed. We
have crisis resolution teams and outreach teams. It can aid
people’s recovery if they are not in hospital.”