POLICY: Independent review of mental health law in Scotland

RCN Scotland response to a review being carried out into the way mental health law is working in Scotland. This review was set up by the Scottish Government but it is independent from them. RCN believes that this legislation and other related Acts would benefit from a review and that this should take place with a human rights focus.

As both a professional college and a trade union, the RCN has a keen interest in the two key aims of the review; namely to improve the rights and protections of persons with a ‘mental disorder’ and to remove barriers to those caring for them.

Mental health nurses play a central role in providing care for people with mental health disorders both in hospital and in the community. Nurses are often the healthcare professionals who provide the greatest amount of direct patient care. They work across multi-disciplinary teams to provide care and treatment and have some formal roles within the existing legislation.

If you have any comments or would like to find out more information then please contact the RCN Scotland Policy team by emailing them at policyscotland@rcn.org.uk or by filling in the attached feedback form and sending it to Policy, RCN Scotland, 42 South Oswald Road, Edinburgh, EH9 2HH