Peers to challenge compulsory community treatment plans

Controversial plans to extend compulsory community mental health treatment are to be challenged by peers tomorrow. (Monday)

A range of amendments building additional safeguards into the proposed community treatment orders are to be discussed as the government’s Mental Health Bill enters the second day of its report stage in the House of Lords.

Peers forced a series of defeats on the bill last week, agreeing an amendment ensuring that a person could only be detained if the treatment would be “likely to alleviate or prevent a deterioration in his condition”. They also voted overwhelmingly to back an amendment preventing people from being sectioned solely on the basis of their substance misuse, sexual orientation or cultural beliefs.