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[LONDON, 16 April 2007] - Controversial plans to reform mental health services in the UK, which some argue snub the needs of children, are to be discussed by MPs. The Mental Health Bill, rejected by the Lords in February, which allows mentally ill people to be detained against their will is expected to face heavy criticism in the Commons. Amendments proposed by the Lords included the demand that children be treated in wards suitable for their age, not with adults, and be assessed by specially trained professionals. The charity Young Minds say children as young as 12 are incarcerated with often extremely disturbed adults and end up more traumatised than when they went in for treatment. A study by Young Minds found that one child every day is admitted to an adult mental health ward under section; that more than three-quarters of girls are detained on mixed-sex wards; that the average stay is at least one month; and that children face a postcode lottery over beds. Kathryn Pugh, head of policy at Young Minds said: "Unless changes are made in the law, children will continue to be at risk, and their chances of recovery seriously jeopardised." Public safety 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. 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. 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." In February the Lords said treatment should be given only if it was likely to help the patient. 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. But it is understood that the Government is not prepared to make any concessions and has put Labour MPs on a three-line whip in an attempt to bulldoze the Bill through. Sources: The Independent on Sunday, BBC. Further information
The Government says the laws will help keep the public safe, however.
pdf: http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/legal/article2449983.ece