"More rights for mental health patients"

1.20.41pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 22nd Jan 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, is backing her party's call to safeguard the rights of mental health patients.

The local AM is calling for the Welsh Assembly to be given the power to introduce its own mental health legislation, as fears grow over some aspects of the Westminster Government's proposed new laws.

Ms Williams said: "The current Mental Health Bill going through Parliament has been severely criticised by health professionals, parliamentarians and patient groups. It aims to introduce wide powers of compulsion in the community while failing to give people the same rights and safeguards that are in place in Scotland. A cross-party group of peers is doing good work to amend the bill, but I believe we must push for the powers to legislate for the better here in Wales, based on the Scottish Act.

"It won't be easy to persuade the UK Government to give Wales the powers, and it could take some time, but the Welsh Liberal Democrats will make a strong case for mental health legislation to be devolved. Our aim would be to enshrine guiding principles that put human rights at the forefront into law, as they have done in Scotland. These principles would guide the rules regarding when patients can be taken to hospital against their will, when they get treatment against their will and their access to independent advocacy.

"If people who are subject to mental health services, and those who speak for them, are involved in decisions about their treatment then their compliance with treatment regimes will be greater and safety for all will be increased. In developing provision for mental health patients we expect to see a dedicated Mental Health advocacy service by 2009, and through more co-operation on the commissioning of services ensure that specialist help is available across the country."