From The Irish Times: The Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2017, which is currently making its way through the Irish legislature, would enact key policies and measures to protect the rights of psychiatric patients and ensure that their preferences are taken into consideration. However, experts say that while the Bill would be an important step forward, more legislation is needed to bring Irish mental health law up to best international standards.
“People whose capacity is impaired because of mental health difficulties should have the same entitlement to have their views heard and their values respected as everybody else. The Bill proposes to remove the inconsistency and ensure that all patients with impaired capacity are respected in the same way. This is not just symbolically important in reducing stigma but also has immediate practical benefits in promoting recovery.”
