Clause 4
Mental Health Bill [Lords]
10:15 am
Tim Loughton (Shadow Minister (Children), Health; East Worthing and Shoreham, Conservative)
What we are saying is that if a person is at serious risk of suicide, their decision-making is impaired, therefore the treatment would be invoked. Also, there would be more patients who could be detained earlier because psychiatrists would focus on their judgment, which is much more preventive. That is what we are saying. Given that the Minister is now focusing exclusively on self-harm rather than public safety, perhaps she can help us by explaining why she thinks suicide rates have been falling over recent years—for which she is always taking credit.