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Mental health bill 'too punitive' Mental health bill 'too punitive'
(about 3 hours later)
Ministers face a fight to get controversial new laws on detaining mentally ill people through Parliament. Ministers are facing a fight to get controversial new laws on detaining mentally ill people through Parliament.
The bill, which will allow people to be held against their will even if they have not committed a crime, has been attacked by the Tories as "punitive".The bill, which will allow people to be held against their will even if they have not committed a crime, has been attacked by the Tories as "punitive".
They joined forces with the Lib Dems and mental health experts to condemn the plan which they said would prevent sufferers from seeking help.They joined forces with the Lib Dems and mental health experts to condemn the plan which they said would prevent sufferers from seeking help.
Ministers say the proposals will help keep the public safe.Ministers say the proposals will help keep the public safe.
The Mental Health Bill is to be debated in the Commons later on Monday, when the government is expected to argue that amendments passed in the Lords in February should be overturned. The Mental Health Bill is being debated in the Commons, with the government expected to argue that amendments passed in the Lords in February should be overturned.
Shadow health minister Tim Loughton predicted that the controversial legislation could "ping pong" between the two chambers.Shadow health minister Tim Loughton predicted that the controversial legislation could "ping pong" between the two chambers.
So many people have died this last year, and over the last years, because no action has been taken Wendy RobinsonZito TrustSo many people have died this last year, and over the last years, because no action has been taken Wendy RobinsonZito Trust
He said that it was nine years since the government first said it would address mental health legislation, but after two drafts of the bill and pre-legislative scrutiny, including evidence from mental health practitioners, it appeared "the government did not listen". He said it was nine years since the government had first said it would address mental health legislation, but after two drafts of the bill and pre-legislative scrutiny, including evidence from mental health practitioners, it appeared "the government did not listen".
"This will only add to the stigma of mental health. It will drive people underground and prevent people from getting the help that they need.""This will only add to the stigma of mental health. It will drive people underground and prevent people from getting the help that they need."
He called on the government to retain the Lords amendments, which he said he was "quite happy with".He called on the government to retain the Lords amendments, which he said he was "quite happy with".
The Tories argue that the plans will make it easier for people to be detained at a time when the NHS is being forced to close beds in mental health wards.The Tories argue that the plans will make it easier for people to be detained at a time when the NHS is being forced to close beds in mental health wards.
The number of NHS beds for the mentally ill fell from 36,601 in 1997-8 to 29,802 in 2005-6, the Conservatives claim. The number of NHS beds for the mentally ill fell from 36,601 in 1997/98 to 29,802 in 2005/06, the Conservatives claim.
And, over the same period, the number of formal admissions to NHS facilities rose by 325 to 25,740, they say.And, over the same period, the number of formal admissions to NHS facilities rose by 325 to 25,740, they say.
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said the government's latest proposals would make it easier to have people sectioned, so increasing the pressure on the system.Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said the government's latest proposals would make it easier to have people sectioned, so increasing the pressure on the system.
"With more demand on these services, and fewer hospital beds, we will see even more people who should be cared for in hospital instead left in the community," he said."With more demand on these services, and fewer hospital beds, we will see even more people who should be cared for in hospital instead left in the community," he said.
'Striking a balance''Striking a balance'
The bill would allow people with severe or violent personality disorders to be confined if they were judged to be a threat to themselves or others.The bill would allow people with severe or violent personality disorders to be confined if they were judged to be a threat to themselves or others.
Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb said the bill meant a person facing compulsion lacked any right to advocacy - a right that a person accused of a crime is given.Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb said the bill meant a person facing compulsion lacked any right to advocacy - a right that a person accused of a crime is given.
In February the Lords voted against the idea of compulsion, saying treatment should be given only if it was likely to help the patient.In February the Lords voted against the idea of compulsion, saying treatment should be given only if it was likely to help the patient.
Paul Farmer, chief executive of mental health charity Mind, said the government had not learned the right lessons from a series of high-profile killings.Paul Farmer, chief executive of mental health charity Mind, said the government had not learned the right lessons from a series of high-profile killings.
HAVE YOUR SAY These people need treatment not locking up like a common criminal Darren Spraggs, New Malden Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY These people need treatment not locking up like a common criminal Darren Spraggs, New Malden Send us your comments
He added: "Countless inquiries into these homicides tell us that it's the services and access to services that makes the biggest difference - not changing the law."He added: "Countless inquiries into these homicides tell us that it's the services and access to services that makes the biggest difference - not changing the law."
But Wendy Robinson of the Zito Trust, whose daughter Georgina was killed in 1993 by a psychiatric patient, said she backed the stronger powers in the bill.But Wendy Robinson of the Zito Trust, whose daughter Georgina was killed in 1993 by a psychiatric patient, said she backed the stronger powers in the bill.
"So many people have died this last year, and over the last years, because no action has been taken," she said."So many people have died this last year, and over the last years, because no action has been taken," she said.
Tony Zigmond, a psychiatrist with 31 years experience and the honorary vice-president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said the link between mental health and homicide was rare.
"The vast majority of people present no danger to anyone."
He added that those who did commit homicide "were not in contact with mental health services and had never been".
Health Minister Rosie Winterton has said that the bill "strikes the right balance between getting treatment to those who need it, putting in place patient safeguards and minimising the risk to the public".Health Minister Rosie Winterton has said that the bill "strikes the right balance between getting treatment to those who need it, putting in place patient safeguards and minimising the risk to the public".
Dangerous psychopathDangerous psychopath
The government has been trying to overhaul mental health laws since 1998.The government has been trying to overhaul mental health laws since 1998.
It was spurred into action by the conviction of Michael Stone for the murders of Lin and Megan Russell.It was spurred into action by the conviction of Michael Stone for the murders of Lin and Megan Russell.
Stone was regarded as a dangerous psychopath but, because his condition was untreatable, he could not be held under mental health powers.Stone was regarded as a dangerous psychopath but, because his condition was untreatable, he could not be held under mental health powers.
Previous attempts to change the laws have been abandoned in the face of widespread opposition.Previous attempts to change the laws have been abandoned in the face of widespread opposition.
Campaigners and doctors have frequently voiced concerns that government plans are too occupied with public safety, rather than the needs of patients.Campaigners and doctors have frequently voiced concerns that government plans are too occupied with public safety, rather than the needs of patients.
The bill would affect an estimated 14,000 of the 600,000 people who use mental health services each year.The bill would affect an estimated 14,000 of the 600,000 people who use mental health services each year.