Vol. 469 No. 3
43 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Health the reason a Charter of Rights for Psychiatric Patients has not been provided by his Department; the progress, if any, which has been made to date in this regard in view of the fact that it was promised some years ago; when it will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17266/96]
Limerick East): My Department is currently in the process of introducing new mental health legislation. The legislation will give greater protection to the civil rights of those with mental illness who have to be detained for treatment and will bring Irish legislation into conformity with international law. A draft general scheme and heads of a new mental health Bill were recently approved by Government and I hope that new legislation will be enacted in 1997. The new legislation will provide, as promised in the White Paper A New Mental Health Act published last year, for the appointment of a commissioner of mental health services whose function it will be to review the quality of care of patients in our mental health services. The commissioner will also produce a code of practice for the care of mentally ill patients.
I would like to assure the Deputy that I am committed to the publication of a charter of rights for patients of our mental health services but believe that it would more appropriately be formulated and introduced at the same time as the other protective measures we are providing for in the new legislation.
