Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Commission Stigmatises Compulsory Treatment

Commission Stigmatises Compulsory Treatment

Heather Roy Monday, 6 March 2006 Press Releases - Health


Today's call from the Mental Health Commission for a reduction in compulsory treatment orders is irrational and irresponsible, says ACT Health Spokesman, Heather Roy.

"Instead of giving reasoned and responsible advice, the Commission has overreacted to one dubious report from the United States that claims patients under compulsory order are tortured", Mrs Roy said.

"The Mental Health Commission is calling for less treatment under compulsory order, while the public call for the mentally unwell to be locked away forever, which leaves those trying to care for patients in a very difficult position.

"The Commission should stick to their purpose of ensuring that 'meeting the needs of service users and families is a priority in mental health services', instead of stigmatising compulsory treatment which frequently saves lives.

"The Mental Health Commission seems to have concluded that New Zealand psychiatrists, judges and district inspectors are colluding to trap the seriously mentally ill into treatment.

"The fact is that there is often nowhere for these patients to go in the community - acute wards are filled with medium and long term patients now because safe community placements do not exist.

"Clinicians, in conjunction with patients and families, should be making the decision about appropriate treatment - not overexcited bureaucrats.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.