Charity hits out at 'fundamentally inaccurate' warnings about draft Mental Health Bill

Professor Matthew Sadlier, a psychiatrist and chair of the IMO consultants committee, is expected to warn that patients with serious mental illness could be denied 'the right to timely and often life-saving medical treatment'. File picture

A row has broken out over the impact of the draft Mental Health Bill with the national charity SHINE saying warnings of negative impacts are “fundamentally inaccurate”.

The draft bill was published last year to much concern from psychiatrists and will be discussed at the first sitting of the Oireachtas Health Committee on Wednesday.

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) is expected to criticise criteria for involuntary admission, timing of patients’ psychosocial assessment, and care plan regulations.

Professor Matthew Sadlier, a psychiatrist and chair of the IMO consultants committee, is due to say: “Effectively, where a patient is found to lack capacity to consent to treatment, the bill would lead to a situation where rather than treating patients, consultants will be required to make an application to the High Court to get permission to do so.” 

He is expected to warn that patients with serious mental illness could be denied “the right to timely and often life-saving medical treatment”.

He is also due to discuss the practicalities of the proposals and is expected to say, while around 760 psychiatrists are needed, Ireland only has 570 approved posts, with almost 30% unfilled or filled on a temporary basis.

However SHINE CEO, Nicola Byrne, has raised concerns about “deeply stigmatising language and worrying predictions” used in discussions over the last few months.

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“Claims that the bill abandons individuals with severe mental illness or removes the ability to intervene when someone is unwell and lacks the capacity to understand their situation or the need for help are fundamentally inaccurate,” she said.

"This legislation aims to provide a clearer, more rights-respecting framework for involuntary mental healthcare.” 

She defended the proposed admission criteria, saying: “The legislation is designed to intervene when a mental disorder presents specific risks or urgent treatment needs.” 

There are already “significant safeguards” in the Bill, she argued.

“What is too often missing from these discussions is the reality that the vast majority of people living with psychosis or schizophrenia are not in crisis, they are studying, working, parenting, volunteering, and contributing to their communities like anyone else,” she said.