§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to ensure that mental health patients are given information about(a) the treatment and medication available to them and (b) the opportunity to choose which course of treatment or medication to take. [113712]
§ Jacqui SmithPeople of working age who are in contact with specialist mental health and social care services have all aspects of their care and treatment, including after care, co-ordinated under the care programme approach.
All people under the care programme approach have the right to a thorough assessment of their needs, the development of a care plan and a review of that care by the professionals involved in their care.
Care plans should provide information about the patient's condition, treatment, and steps to be taken in an emergency. It is envisaged that care plans should be drawn up with the involvement of the service users, and where appropriate, their carer. Service users should be given the opportunity to sign the agreed care plan and receive a copy. Any refusal to accept treatment or medication should be noted in the care plan along with the service user's reasons for refusal.
744WAny local audit of the care programme approach will need to include the views of service users, who should be given the opportunity to contribute to the setting of quality standards and measures.