The UK Government should reject plans to extend police powers of detention to medical practitioners as these risk causing significant harm with dangerous consequences, warns the 网曝黑料 (RCPsych) alongside eight leading health and social care organisations.
In a joint statement issued today, the signatories expressed grave concerns warning that the plans should not be pushed through the Mental Health Bill in England and Wales without proper consideration of the potential impact.
Recent amendments to the Bill, passed by the House of Lords, would transfer powers previously reserved only for police (under s135 and s136 of the Bill) onto health professionals to detain and restrain people in crisis, in public spaces or at home.
The police play a crucial role in carrying out many tasks that medical practitioners cannot perform, such as assessing whether a home is safe to enter. Reducing police involvement in mental health emergencies could lead to serious risks for both patients and clinicians.
The joint statement reads:
“The explanatory statement accompanying the relevant amendments states that ‘the proposed amendments would remove the need for the presence of police at mental health incidents in the absence of any risk.’ This is misleading as instances of detentions under the Mental Health Act where there is no risk are almost non-existent. It also negates the fact that the mere presence of uniformed officers can ensure that an otherwise risky situation remains contained and safe.”
Additionally, transferring police powers to healthcare professionals risks damaging their therapeutic relationships with patients. This would have the double-effect of hindering clinicians’ ability to provide care, as well as deterring individuals from seeking help from services where they might be forcibly detained.
The proposed amendments have not been tested with health professionals or discussed with patients. They risk increasing the use of restrictive practices and limiting individuals' autonomy in deciding how they are cared for, contradicting the purpose of the reforms.
Ahead of the Bill undergoing public scrutiny in the House of Commons in the coming weeks, the co-signatories are calling on MPs and the UK Government to consider the potential negative implications of the proposals and ensure the needs of vulnerable people remain a top priority.
The statement makes clear that the professions want to work together at finding a resolution:
“We are keen to work with Police and Government to find ways to improve responses to mental health crises to ensure the safety of all professionals involved, patients and the community. The amendments as written provide neither safety nor improved outcomes in our view, but we remain committed to working jointly to achieve both aims.”
Commenting on the statement, Dr Lade Smith CBE, President of the 网曝黑料, said:
“We are surprised that this amendment was introduced. Having worked on the 2018 Wessely Review, which made recommendations based on the principles of choice and autonomy; least restriction; therapeutic benefit; and the person as an individual, I believe that delegating police powers to health professionals would not be within the spirit of the proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act.
“It is well known that at times, people experiencing a mental health crisis cannot be safely reached and cared for without the assistance of the police. Delegating police powers without proper consultation or planning is likely to disproportionately affect those from minoritised backgrounds and would increase risk to patients and compromise the safety of others. It sets a dangerous precedent.
“Like mental health services, the police are facing significant workload pressures. It is simply logical and now vital that we work together to develop more effective ways of responding to mental health crises.”
The organisations that signed the joint statement are:
- Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE)
- Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)
- Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Leads Network
- British Association of Social Workers (BASW)
- British Medical Association (BMA)
- College of Paramedics
- Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM)
- Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
- 网曝黑料 (RCPsych)
For further information, please contact:
- Email: press@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Twitter:
- Out-of-hours contact number: 07860 755896