Committee to examine proposed legislation on the rights of those in receipt of in-patient mental health treatment

The Select Committee on Health will tomorrow meet with James Browne, T.D., to discuss the provisions of his Bill – the Mental Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2017. This Bill, amongst other measures, aims to strengthen the rights of individuals who receive in-patient mental health treatment and update sections of the Mental Health Act 2001 in line with the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015.

The meeting will commence at 9.00am in Committee Room 4 tomorrow, Thursday, 22 June 2017.

Committee Chairman Dr. Michael Harty TD said “In introducing this Bill, Deputy Browne aims to improve the provision of mental health services by incorporating certain provisions of existing legislation into one updated Bill. This Bill would promote the rights of persons subject to the Mental Health Act 2001, specifically in the area of decision-making capacity, and defines a voluntary patient as a person with decision-making capacity. It also states that persons subject to the Act with this decision making capacity, must consent to treatment before it is carried out. Members welcome the opportunity to engage with Deputy Browne tomorrow and discuss what is an important piece of proposed legislation.”

You can read the Mental Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2017 here.

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.