House of Commons

Session 2006-07 Publications on the internet Bill Home Page

Tuesday 15th May 2007

Public Bill Committee

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New Amendments handed in are marked thus *

Other Amendments not tabled within the required notice period are marked thus #

Mental Health Bill [Lords]

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Note

The Amendments have been arranged in accordance with the Order of the Committee [24th April].

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Tim Loughton
Dr John Pugh
Angela Browning
Sandra Gidley
Mr Tim Boswell
Mr Charles Walker

14

Page 26, line 31, leave out Clause 34.

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Tim Loughton
Sandra Gidley
Angela Browning
Dr John Pugh
Mr Tim Boswell
Mr Charles Walker

James Duddridge

65

Clause 35, page 31, line 25, at end insert—

‘(6) The fifth condition is that the treatment does not conflict with a decision made by a person with parental responsibility for the patient.

(7) In this section “parental responsibility” has the same meaning as in the Children Act 1989 (c. 41).’.

Tim Loughton
Dr John Pugh
Angela Browning
Sandra Gidley
Mr Tim Boswell
Mr Charles Walker

13

Page 28, line 10, leave out Clause 35.

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Tim Loughton
Angela Browning
Mr Tim Boswell
Mr Charles Walker
James Duddridge
Andrew Rosindell

58

Clause 36, page 35, line 35, leave out ‘16’ and insert ‘18’.

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Tim Loughton
Angela Browning
Dr John Pugh
Mr Tim Boswell
Sandra Gidley
Mr Charles Walker

7

Clause 43, page 41, line 6, at end add—

‘(4) In Section 135(6) for the words from “means” to the end of that subsection substitute—

“(a) (i) residential accommodation provided by a local social services authority under Part III of the National Assistance Act 1948 (c.29),

(ii) a hospital as defined by this Act,

(iii) an independent hospital or care home for mentally disordered persons,

(iv) any other suitable place the occupier of which is willing temporarily to receive the patient or, if, in the circumstances of the case it is impracticable to use any of these places,

(b) a police station.”.

(5) In Section 136 (Mentally disordered persons found in public places) of the 1983 Act after subsection (2) insert—

“(3) Where a police station is used as the place of safety the person may not be detained there for a period longer than 24 hours.”.’.

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Ms Rosie Winterton

47

Clause 47, page 44, line 19, after ‘paragraph’, insert ‘42(2)(b),’.

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Angela Browning
Tim Loughton
Dr John Pugh
Mr Tim Boswell
Sandra Gidley
Mr Charles Walker

11

Schedule 6, page 79, line 9, at end insert—

‘(3) Where the managing authority deprives P of his liberty by detaining him as mentioned in paragraph 1(2), the appropriate NHS body or local authority which has authorised the detention shall make arrangements for the provision of the accommodation with care or treatment, and it shall be free of charge.’.

Ms Rosie Winterton

48

Schedule 6, page 88, line 1, leave out sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) and insert—

‘(2) The maximum authorisation period is the shorter of these periods—

(a) the period which, in the assessor’s opinion, would be the appropriate maximum period for the relevant person to be a detained resident under the standard authorisation that has been requested;

(b) 1 year, or such shorter period as may be prescribed in regulations.

(3) Regulations under sub-paragraph (2)(b)—

(a) need not provide for a shorter period to apply in relation to all standard authorisations;

(b) may provide for different periods to apply in relation to different kinds of standard authorisations.

(4) Before making regulations under sub-paragraph (2)(b) the Secretary of State must consult all of the following—

(a) each body required by regulations under paragraph 161 to monitor and report on the operation of this Schedule in relation to England;

(b) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers it appropriate to consult.

(5) Before making regulations under sub-paragraph (2)(b) the National Assembly for Wales must consult all of the following—

(a) each person or body directed under paragraph 162(2) to carry out any function of the Assembly of monitoring and reporting on the operation of this Schedule in relation to Wales;

(b) such other persons as the Assembly considers it appropriate to consult.’.

Angela Browning
Tim Loughton
Mr Tim Boswell
Mr Charles Walker
James Duddridge
Andrew Rosindell

72

Schedule 6, page 88, line 23, at end insert—

‘( ) The relevant person, when they are consulted by the best interests assessor under paragraph 4(7) of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, has the right to the support of an appointed Independent Mental Capacity Advocate during the assessment process.’.

Ms Rosie Winterton

49

Schedule 6, page 91, line 31, leave out from ‘right’ to end of line 32 and insert ‘to make an application to the court to exercise its jurisdiction under section 21A;’.

Ms Rosie Winterton

50

Schedule 6, page 94, line 32, at end insert—

‘(aa) the person to whom the request relates;’.

Ms Rosie Winterton

51

Schedule 6, page 97, line 34, leave out from ‘right’ to end of line 35 and insert ‘to make an application to the court to exercise its jurisdiction under section 21A.’.

Ms Rosie Winterton

52

Schedule 6, page 116, line 33, after ‘court’, insert ‘to exercise its jurisdiction’.

Angela Browning
Tim Loughton
Dr John Pugh
Mr Tim Boswell
Sandra Gidley
Mr Charles Walker

12

Schedule 6, page 116, line 34, at end insert—

‘Part 11A

‘serious medical treatment

Provision of second medical opinions

161 (1) This paragraph applies to a person (P) who is deprived of liberty in accordance with this schedule if an NHS body is proposing to provide, or secure the provision of, serious medical treatment within section 37(6) to him.

(2) P shall not be given the treatment unless a registered medical practitioner (other than the medical practitioner in charge of the care of the patient) has certified in writing that the patient is not capable of understanding the nature, purpose and likely effects of that treatment but that it is in the best interests of the patient in accordance with this Act that the treatment be given.

(3) Before giving a certificate under sub-paragraph (b) the registered medical practitioner concerned shall consult two other persons who have been professionally concerned with the patient’s medical treatment, and of those persons one shall be a nurse and the other shall be neither a nurse nor a registered medical practitioner.’.

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Ms Rosie Winterton

53

Schedule 8, page 132, line 31, after ‘paragraph’, insert ‘42(2)(b),’.

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Ms Rosie Winterton

34

Schedule 10, page 138, line 29, column 2, at end insert—

‘Sections 25A to 25J.’.

Ms Rosie Winterton

35

Schedule 10, page 138, line 31, column 2, at end insert—

‘In section 32(2)(c), the words “or to after-care under supervision”.
In section 34— (a) in subsection (1), the definitions of “the community responsible medical officer” and “the supervisor”, and (b) subsection (1A).

In section 66(1)— (a) paragraphs (ga), (gb) and (gc) (and the word “or” at the end of each of those paragraphs), and (b) in sub-paragraph (i), the words from “or, in the cases” to the end.

In section 66(2)— (a) in paragraph (d), the words “and (gb)”, and (b) paragraph (fa).

In section 67(1), the words “or to after-care under supervision”.’.

Ms Rosie Winterton

36

Schedule 10, page 138, line 32, column 2, at end insert—

‘Section 72(4A).

In section 76(1), the words from “or to after-care” to “leaves hospital)”.

Section 117(2A).

Section 127(2A).

In section 145— (a) in subsection (1), the definitions of “the responsible after-care bodies” and “supervision application”, and (b) subsection (1A).’.

Ms Rosie Winterton

37

Schedule 10, page 138, line 34, column 2, at end insert—

‘In Part 1 of Schedule 1— (a) in paragraph 2, the words “, 25A, 25B”, and (b) paragraph 8A.’.

Ms Rosie Winterton

38

Schedule 10, page 138, line 34, at end insert—

‘Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Act 1995 (c. 52)

Section 1(1). In Schedule 1— (a) in paragraph 2, paragraph (c) (and the word “and” immediately preceding it), (b) in paragraph 11, paragraph (a) (and the word “and” at the end of that paragraph), and (c) paragraphs 3, 4, 6, 7, 8(2), 10(1) to (3), 12, 13, 18 and 20.’.

Ms Rosie Winterton

39

Schedule 10, page 138, line 36, at end insert—

‘National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (c. 17)	In Schedule 2, paragraphs 43 to 45.
Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33)	In Schedule 27, in paragraph 86, paragraph (b) (and the word “and” immediately preceding it).’.

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Ms Rosie Winterton

31

Clause 53, page 45, line 38, leave out ‘54 and’ and insert ‘[Commencement of section [Repeal of provisions for after-care under supervision]] to’.

Ms Rosie Winterton

32

Clause 53, page 46, line 10, after ‘(4)(b)’, insert ‘(including provision within section [Commencement of section [Repeal of provisions for after-care under supervision]])’.

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Ms Rosie Winterton

33

Clause 55, page 46, line 22, leave out subsection (2).

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new clauses

Repeal of provisions for after-care under supervision

Ms Rosie Winterton

NC12

To move the following Clause:—

‘(1) The 1983 Act is amended as follows.

(2) Sections 25A to 25J (after-care under supervision) are omitted.

(3) In section 66 (applications to tribunals), in subsection (2)(c), for “cases mentioned in paragraphs (c) and (ga)” substitute “case mentioned in paragraph (c)”.

(4) In Part 1 of Schedule 1 (application of certain provisions to patients subject to hospital and guardianship orders: patients not subject to special restrictions), in paragraph 1, for “25C” substitute “26”.’.

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Commencement of section [Repeal of provisions for after-care under supervision]

Ms Rosie Winterton

NC13

To move the following Clause:—

‘(1) An order under section 53 providing for the commencement of section [Repeal of provisions for after-care under supervision] may, in particular, provide—

(a) for that section not to apply to or affect a patient who is subject to after-care under supervision immediately before that commencement, and

(b) for the patient to cease to be subject to after-care under supervision, and for his case to be dealt with, in accordance with provision made by the order.

(2) The order may require—

(a) a Primary Care Trust or Local Health Board to secure that the patient is examined by a registered medical practitioner of a description specified in the order;

(b) the registered medical practitioner to examine the patient with a view to making a decision about his case by reference to criteria specified in the order.

(3) The order may require the registered medical practitioner, having complied with provision made by virtue of subsection (2)(b)—

(a) to discharge the patient,

(b) to recommend that he be detained in hospital,

(c) to recommend that he be received into guardianship, or

(d) to make a community treatment order in respect of him.

(4) The order may, in respect of a recommendation made by virtue of subsection (3)(b) or (c)—

(a) provide that the recommendation is to be made to a local social services authority determined in accordance with the order;

(b) provide that the recommendation is to be made in accordance with any other requirements specified in the order;

(c) require the local social services authority determined in accordance with paragraph (a), in response to the recommendation, to make arrangements for an approved mental health professional to consider the patient’s case on their behalf.

(5) The order may provide that a registered medical practitioner shall not make a community treatment order in respect of a patient unless an approved mental health professional states in writing—

(a) that he agrees with the decision made by the practitioner about the patient’s case, and

(b) that it is appropriate to make the order.

(6) An order requiring a registered medical practitioner to make a community treatment order in respect of a patient shall include provision about—

(a) the effect of the community treatment order (in particular, replacing after-care under supervision with a contingent requirement to attend, and be detained at, a hospital), and

(b) the effect of its revocation (including, in particular, provision for detention under section 3 of the 1983 Act).

(7) The order may modify a provision of the 1983 Act in its application in relation to a patient who is subject to after-care under supervision immediately before the commencement of section [Repeal of provisions for after-care under supervision].

(8) Provision made by virtue of subsection (7) may, in particular—

(a) modify any of sections 25A to 25J of the 1983 Act in their application in relation to a patient for so long as he is, by virtue of subsection (1)(a), subject to after-care under supervision after the commencement of section [Repeal of provisions for after-care under supervision];

(b) modify any of sections 17A to 17G, 20A and 20B of that Act (inserted by section 32 of this Act) in their application in relation to a patient in respect of whom a community treatment order is made by virtue of subsection (3)(d).

(9) A reference in this section to section [Repeal of provisions for after-care under supervision] includes the amendments and repeals in Schedules 3 and 10 consequential on that section.

(10) An expression used in this section and in the 1983 Act has the same meaning in this section as it has in that Act.’.

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Independent mental health advocacy

Sandra Gidley
Tim Loughton
Dr John Pugh
Angela Browning
Mr Tim Boswell
Mr Charles Walker

NC1

To move the following Clause:—

‘(1) The 1983 Act is amended as follows.

(2) After section 59 insert—

“59A Independent mental health advocacy etc.,

(1) The appropriate authority must arrange, to such extent as it considers necessary to meet all reasonable requirements, for help from persons to be known as independent mental health advocates, to be available to qualifying patients.

(2) The help available under the arrangements must include—

(a) help in obtaining information about and understanding—

(i) what medical treatment is being provided to the patient,

(ii) why it is being provided,

(iii) under what authority it is being provided,

(iv) the requirements of this Act which apply in connection with the patient’s treatment, and

(v) the rights which can be exercised by or in respect of him under this Act, and

(b) help (by way of representation or otherwise) in exercising those rights.

(3) An independent mental health advocate authorised by a patient or his nearest relative on his behalf may at any reasonable time, for the purpose of providing, in accordance with the arrangements, help requested by the patient or his nearest relative, meet the patient in private.

(4) The appropriate authority may by regulations provide that a person may act as an independent mental health advocate only—

(a) if requirements specified in the regulations are met in respect of him; or

(b) if requirements specified in the regulations are met in respect of any person with whom arrangements are made for him to act as an independent mental health advocate; or

(c) in circumstances otherwise specified in the regulations.

(5) In making arrangements under this section, the appropriate authority must have regard to the principle that the provision of help under the arrangement should, so far as practicable, be independent of any person responsible for the patient’s treatment.

(6) This section applies in respect of the following patients—

(a) a patient who is liable to be detained by virtue of an application for admission for assessment or an application for admission for treatment under Part II of this Act;

(b) a community patient;

(c) a patient who is removed to a place of safety within the meaning of section 135—

(i) in the execution of a warrant under section 135; or

(ii) by a constable under section 136,

(d) an accused person within the meaning of section 35 remanded under that section to hospital for a report on his mental condition;

(e) an accused person within the meaning of section 36 remanded under that section to hospital for treatment;

(f) a patient in respect of whom there is in force—

(i) a hospital order,

(ii) a transfer direction,

(iii) a hospital direction,

(g) a patient, not being liable to be detained under this Act, who is asked to consent to any form of treatment to which section 57 applies.’.

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Duty to inform patient of the right of access to an advocate

Sandra Gidley
Tim Loughton
Dr John Pugh
Angela Browning
Mr Tim Boswell
Mr Charles Walker

NC2

To move the following Clause:—

‘(1) The 1983 Act is amended as follows—

(2) After section 59A, inserted by this Act, insert—

“59B Duty to inform patient of advocacy provision

(1) The appropriate authority shall have a duty to inform a qualifying patient of the right to seek the services of an independent mental health advocate as soon as is reasonably practicable after the patient becomes a qualifying patient and thereafter, at reasonable intervals—

(a) at all points where decisions are made about care and treatment;

(b) on the use of interventions to manage behaviour;

(c) in any case where an allegation of abuse, including offences relating to sections 38 to 41 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, is made by a qualifying patient.

(2) In any case where it is proposed that treatment specified by regulations made by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 58(1)(a) should be given to a patient, the appropriate authority shall have a duty to inform, or as the case may be, remind the patient of the right to seek the services of an independent mental health advocate—

(a) before the patient is asked to consent to the specified treatment; or

(b) before a certificate has been given under section 58(3)(b).

(3) In the case of a patient who is a qualifying patient by the virtue of section 59A(6)(g) the appropriate authority shall have a duty to inform, or as the case may be, remind the patient of the right to seek the services of an independent mental health advocate before he is given any form of treatment to which section 57 applies.’.

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Prepared: 15 May 2007