LEGISLATION - ENGLAND

http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/story/0,,2016802,00.html

 -  Peers curb plan to detain mentally ill  Tania Branigan Tuesday February 20, 2007

The Guardian

 Peers defeated the government yesterday again over its plans to detain and

treat people with mental health problems who have committed no offence.

Conservative, Liberal Democrat, crossbench and rebel Labour peers voted by 186

to 115 to ensure that detention and compulsory treatment is permitted only if

it is "likely" to help the patient.

The mental health bill aims to safeguard the public by allowing the detention

and enforced treatment of people with personality disorders considered a

potential danger to themselves and others. But opponents - including many

medical professionals - say it lacks proper safeguards and fear it could

prove counter-productive, by deterring people with problems from seeking

help.

© Fiona Sinclair, Wednesday 4^th April 2007