§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidelines are issued by his Department on the circumstances in which psychiatric or psychological treatment may be imposed on children under the provisions of care orders; and how the terms of such guidelines differ from any relating to orders under section 26 of the Mental Health Act 1959 and the Mental Health (Amendment) Act 1982.
§ Mr. NewtonNo guidelines have been issued by the Department on the imposition of medical treatment on children who are subject to care orders. Advice on obtaining consent for the treatment of children is available to medical practitioners from their medical defence societies. The Mental Health (Amendment) Act 1982, which will be implemented on 30 September this year, clarifies the position on consent to treatment for one very limited category of patients. It prescribes the circumstances in which medical treatment for mental disorder can be given to detained patients, including those detained on an application made under section 26 of the 1959 Act, without their informed consent. The new Mental Health Act Commission will be asked to prepare a code of practice for my right hon. Friend to lay before Parliament, on the medical treatment of patients within the purview of the Act.