The Government made substantial changes to the Mental Health Capacity Bill without properly consulting those who would be affected.

The proposals in this Bill have the scope to affect the rights of a large portion of the estimated two million people thought to lack capacity to make their own decisions. The decision to deprive someone of their liberty should be an issue that is treated with the utmost respect, thought and care.

The Government rejected crucial Opposition amendments to the Bill, which would have removed the clear conflict of interest that will see care homes and independent hospitals making arrangements that deprive vulnerable people of their liberty. These concerns were echoed in a report by the Joint Committee for Human Rights last year.

I raised this at the third reading of the Bill and supported Labour amendments which would have addressed this.

It is disappointing the Government refused to listen and rejected these amendments.

You can watch my intervention in full below.

Link to Instagram Link to Twitter Link to YouTube Link to Facebook Link to LinkedIn Link to Snapchat Close Fax Website Location Phone Email Calendar Building Search