GMC joins mental health bill campaign group

July 11, 2005

A leading body representing doctors has joined a coalition campaigning against government plans to extend compulsory treatment for people with mental health problems

The General Medical Council said proposals in the draft mental health bill, presently going through parliament, threatens doctors' ability to meet expected standards of care for a particularly vulnerable group of patients.

The council, which licences doctors to practice in the UK, believes people with mental health problems should not be subject to compulsory assessment and treatment without appropriate safeguards of their rights and interests.

The Mental Health Alliance is a coalition of more than 70 professional, charity and law organisations opposing "draconian" plans laid out in the draft bill.

See also
March 29, 2005: Government again under fire over plans to change mental health law - parliamentary committee warns that planned legislation would erode civil liberties

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