ALLIANCE responds to mental health law review
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 27th May 2020
The Review is examining how to better protect people's human rights.
The ALLIANCE has responded to the first phase of consultation by the Scottish Mental Health Law Review led by John Scott QC.
The Review (this link will take you away from our website) aims to “improve the rights and protections of persons who may be subject to the existing provisions of mental health, incapacity or adult support and protection legislation as a consequence of having a mental disorder, and remove barriers to those caring for their health and welfare.”
It is widely recognised that people with lived experience of mental health problems do not enjoy their rights as well as they could in Scotland. The ALLIANCE has made several recommendations, including:
- Invest more resources in community-based prevention, early intervention, and self management so that people get the right help at the right time before reaching states of distress and crisis.
- Implement the recommendations by the independent inquiry into mental health services in Tayside, including those from people with lived experience, and explore how learning from this inquiry can be applied to other parts of Scotland where similar issues exist.
- Ensure people with lived experience are actively involved in meaningful decision-making across all aspects of mental health, including policy/law, budgeting, service design and delivery, monitoring and oversight.
- Undertake a thorough Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment of future mental health legislation, regulations and guidance.
- Further work to boost the number of good quality advance statements and ensure compliance with them.
- Increased funding for, and access to, independent advocacy, as well as investment in other forms of supported decision-making.
- An ongoing programme of longitudinal research to capture qualitative and quantitative data, framed within an equalities, human rights and intersectional lens.
You can access the ALLIANCE’s consultation response at the links below. You may also be interested in a recent ALLIANCE Live interview with John Scott QC.
End of page.
You may also like:
Scottish Government outline actions in response to economic, social and cultural rights observations
The plan comes in response to the Concluding Observations from the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights earlier this year.
Continue readingThe latest development work on ALISS focused on improving the homepage and search results, making the website easier to use on all devices.
Continue readingThe strategy sets out how ALISS aims to achieve continued growth and build on the strengths of its data to deliver value across Scotland.
Continue readingNew evidence-based resources aim to strengthen race equality, support staff and guide managers in addressing racism meaningfully
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE urges stronger social care integration, a clearer prevention focus and digital inclusion at the heart of NHS Delivery proposals
Continue readingThis work aims to better understand both the incidence and needs of children with Usher Syndrome and their families
Continue readingEvery Tuesday the Discover Digital team at the ALLIANCE shares a free and trusted digital tool that supports health and wellbeing.
Continue readingFor this month's DCP Spotlight, we hear from COPE Scotland founder Hilda Campbell
Continue readingManifesto sets out the priorities for the future of community Optometry in Scotland
Continue readingThe CONSOLIDATE Network brings people with lived experience of dementia and researchers together to develop technologies for independence
Continue readingTake part if you work in adult audiology or cochlear implantation
Continue readingNew study commissioned by the BDA assesses the socio-economic value of access to British Sign Language for Deaf children and their families
Continue readingDr Irene Oldfather wins award for inspiring European connections – strengthening Scotland’s civil society voice in Europe.
Continue readingNearly half of unpaid carers cut back on essentials as financial and health pressures intensify
Continue readingFrom 12.01am on 1 December 2025, Deaf and Deafblind BSL users will need the new app to access the service or use the website
Continue readingNew report warns thousands spending their final months in financial hardship and fuel poverty
Continue readingThe Promise Scotland has updated their logo to help give more clarity over who the organisation are.
Continue readingNew CARE Grants Programme launched by Macmillan Cancer Support.
Continue readingWhat does trust mean to you? That’s the question SCDC and the Scottish Government are seeking to explore.
Continue readingTake part in an exciting research study to help design a two-way translation app between BSL and spoken English
Continue readingTake part if you are Deaf, Deafblind, have a Visual Impairment, or are living with Multiple Sclerosis
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE are seeking member views to shape our position on Council Tax reform in both the short term and into the future.
Continue readingDesigned for staff across health, social care, and related sectors, these workshops provide practical insights to help embed digital equity.
Continue readingIndependent expert panel review recommends major changes to align abortion law with modern clinical practice
Continue readingThe framework was developed by the Scottish Government with support from the ALLIANCE.
Continue reading