Putting Patients First

Mental health services in Scotland could be on course to change as MSPs call for a shake-up ahead of a Holyrood debate.

Scottish Labour want the Scottish Government to consider a review. They're calling for transparent investigations into deaths in mental health units and for an evaluation to determine whether a learning disability and autism should be considered a mental disorder.

Other key issues they believe should be encompassed in a review include, human rights implications of a patient’s right to refuse treatment and proper scrutiny of advocacy services.

Scottish Labour Public and Mental Health Spokesperson Dr Richard Simpson, a psychiatrist with 23-years’ experience, said: “Mental Health is one of the great public health challenges of our time; this bill should be an opportunity to put rights first.

“Scottish Labour supports the recommendations made by the Millan Commission and McManus Report that a much wider review is needed to the various connected legislation.

“We must also have the discussion as to whether it is time to remove those with a learning disability and autism spectrum disorder from the definition of living with a mental disorder.

“We have made significant strides in the last decade to remove much of the stigma of mental illness, but it still remains a taboo subject for many.

“In Scotland today a quarter of people will experience a diagnosable mental health problem at some point in our lives. It is time for a major review which will put the rights of patients first and improve mental health services in Scotland.”