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Mental care bill back in Commons Mental care bill back in Commons
(about 3 hours later)
MPs are to debate controversial moves to allow mentally ill people in England and Wales to be detained even if they have not committed crimes.MPs are to debate controversial moves to allow mentally ill people in England and Wales to be detained even if they have not committed crimes.
Ministers say the changes, to be debated in the Commons over the next two days, balance the need for treatment with public safety.Ministers say the changes, to be debated in the Commons over the next two days, balance the need for treatment with public safety.
But critics complain that the measures could result in too many people being locked up unnecessarily.But critics complain that the measures could result in too many people being locked up unnecessarily.
Ministers have been trying to update mental health legislation since 1998.Ministers have been trying to update mental health legislation since 1998.
After a string of defeats in the House of Lords, the government has given some ground on the bill, which amends the Mental Health Act 1983.After a string of defeats in the House of Lords, the government has given some ground on the bill, which amends the Mental Health Act 1983.
Concessions include giving doctors tight rules over the use of orders to force patients to take medicine and place them under detention if required.Concessions include giving doctors tight rules over the use of orders to force patients to take medicine and place them under detention if required.
Community treatment orders are designed to ensure that patients receive treatment to prevent the risk of harm to their health or safety, or to protect other people.Community treatment orders are designed to ensure that patients receive treatment to prevent the risk of harm to their health or safety, or to protect other people.
We must make sure we have a bill that does address, as well as getting treatment of people, the issues of public safety Rosie WintertonHealth ministerWe must make sure we have a bill that does address, as well as getting treatment of people, the issues of public safety Rosie WintertonHealth minister
Speaking ahead of the debate, health minister Rosie Winterton told BBC News: "What we have put down is an amendment to make clear that conditions can be set, in terms of community treatment orders.Speaking ahead of the debate, health minister Rosie Winterton told BBC News: "What we have put down is an amendment to make clear that conditions can be set, in terms of community treatment orders.
"But we have said those conditions must be conditions which relate to the treatment of the patient and also are there either for the protection of themselves or others.""But we have said those conditions must be conditions which relate to the treatment of the patient and also are there either for the protection of themselves or others."
She added: "We must make sure we have a bill that does address, as well as getting treatment of people, the issues of public safety."She added: "We must make sure we have a bill that does address, as well as getting treatment of people, the issues of public safety."
But, despite concessions, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and some backbench Labour MPs are still likely to vote against the bill.But, despite concessions, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and some backbench Labour MPs are still likely to vote against the bill.
Concerns include the need for guidance on who can decide when to impose community treatment orders.Concerns include the need for guidance on who can decide when to impose community treatment orders.
Further concessionsFurther concessions
The shake-up in the law has been driven by Michael Stone's 1998 conviction for the brutal murders of Lin and Megan Russell.The shake-up in the law has been driven by Michael Stone's 1998 conviction for the brutal murders of Lin and Megan Russell.
Stone was regarded as a dangerous psychopath and it had been assumed he was not held under mental health powers because his condition was considered untreatable.Stone was regarded as a dangerous psychopath and it had been assumed he was not held under mental health powers because his condition was considered untreatable.
This was subsequently found not to be the case as he was receiving treatment but gaps in his care meant he was not given the correct treatment.This was subsequently found not to be the case as he was receiving treatment but gaps in his care meant he was not given the correct treatment.
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Ministers have made some concessions on other aspects of the bill.Ministers have made some concessions on other aspects of the bill.
Concern had been raised that the bill would allow patients under 18 to be held in adult wards.Concern had been raised that the bill would allow patients under 18 to be held in adult wards.
The government has now said the bill will contain a clause saying they will be required to be treated in "age-appropriate settings".The government has now said the bill will contain a clause saying they will be required to be treated in "age-appropriate settings".
People detained under the mental health laws will also be given access to advocacy services to champion their rights.People detained under the mental health laws will also be given access to advocacy services to champion their rights.
And the victims of mental health offenders will be given the chance to make representations over their proposed release.And the victims of mental health offenders will be given the chance to make representations over their proposed release.