§ Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration he has given to publishing in the major ethnic minority languages the patients' rights leaflets which must be provided to those patients compulsorily detained under the Mental Health Acts.
§ Mr. WhitneySection 132 of the Mental Health Act 1983 requires managers of hospitals or mental nursing homes with detained patients to inform such patients orally and in writing of the reasons for their detention and their rights under the Act. To assist NHS authorities and others to discharge this responsibility when the Mental Health Act was introduced, the Department produced and distributed a set of 13 standard leaflets which could be 559W used to meet the requirements of the Act. Authorities were reminded that the leaflets would need adaptation to meet particular circumstances and that translation or use of an interpreter might sometimes be required.
The Mental Health Act Commission has since proposed that the Department should make a general distribution of translated leaflets, initially in 12 languages other then English. We know of no firm evidence of any difficulties on a scale which would justify central action by the Department of the kind proposed. We have, however, invited the Mental Health Act Commission, whose members regularly visit these hospitals and mental nursing homes, to let us know if they are aware of evidence of such need on a scale which would justify central action.
§ Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the annual cost of printing and publishing those patients' rights leaflets which must be provided to patients compulsorily detained under the Mental Health Acts; and what would be the cost of providing translations in the major ethnic minority languages.
§ Mr. WhitneyThere is no provision in the Mental Health Act specifically requiring the issue of leaflets to detained patients. We issued standard leaflets to National Health Service authorities and others when the Mental Health Act was introduced, to help them meet certain obligations in the Act to provide advice and information to detained patients.
The information requested about annual costs is not available. There are 13 standard leaflets, some of which are used more than others, and reprints are ordered from time to time as required. Four of the leaflets were reprinted during 1985 at a total cost of £ 1,716. It has been estimated that translation of six of the 13 standard leaflets into six
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Number Per cent. INNER LONDON Clerical Assistant Total turnover—262.5 (42.7 per cent.) Total of leavers—175 (28.5 per cent.) Turnover Maximum rate: Greenwich West AO 3 100 Minimum rate: Chelsea ILO 2 8.3 Leavers Maximum rate: Thames South AO 6 54.6 Minimum rate: Greenwich West AO 0 0 Clerical Officer Total turnover—457 (24.9 per cent.) Total leavers—387.5(21.1 per cent.) Turnover Maximum rate: Bloomsbury AO 28 71.8 Minimum rate: Streatham ILO 6 10 Leavers Maximum rate: Bloomsbury AO 26 66.7 Minimum rate: Thames North AO 1 4.3 OUTER LONDON Clerical Assistant Total turnover—191 (50.9 per cent.) Total leavers—131 (34.9 per cent.) Turnover Maximum rate: Wimbledon AO 12.5 113.6 Minimum rate: Richmond NIO 0 0 Leavers Maximum rate: Eltham AO 5 71.4 of the 12 languages suggested by the Mental Health Act Commission would cost £1,570. Printing and distribution costs would be additional.