Nurses welcome single bill for mental health and mental capacity

Published: 10 September 2009

 Speaking in response to today's announcement by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey that he intends to introduce a new single piece of legislation covering both mental health and mental capacity, rather than the dual track approach previously advocated by the DHSSPS, Royal College of Nursing [RCN] Northern Ireland Director Janice Smyth said:

"We are pleased that the Minister has listened to the views of nurses and of professional and service user organisations on this issue. The RCN believes that a single Act covering both mental health and mental capacity will avoid stigmatising patients and will stop placing practitioners in the difficult position of labelling patients according to their mental health status or their mental capacity.

"We also welcome the Minister's commitment to ensuring that human rights principles and improved safeguards for patients are incorporated in the legislation.

"This announcement is good news for people with mental health issues and those with learning disabilities, their families, carers and the health professionals who provide care for them. It will help to provide the legislative basis for a new service that truly respects the human rights, autonomy and needs of vulnerable patients."