Schedule 6
Mental Health Bill [Lords]
5:15 pm
161 (1) This paragraph applies to a person (P) who is deprived of liberty in accordance with this schedule if an NHS body is proposing to provide, or secure the provision of, serious medical treatment within section 37(6) to him.
(2) P shall not be given the treatment unless a registered medical practitioner (other than the medical practitioner in charge of the care of the patient) has certified in writing that the patient is not capable of understanding the nature, purpose and likely effects of that treatment but that it is in the best interests of the patient in accordance with this Act that the treatment be given.
(3) Before giving a certificate under sub-paragraph (b) the registered medical practitioner concerned shall consult two other persons who have been professionally concerned with the patient’s medical treatment, and of those persons one shall be a nurse and the other shall be neither a nurse nor a registered medical practitioner.’.
Although it comes late in the day in the consideration of the Bill, this is a very important amendment, and I mean that seriously. I know that Labour Members have their minds on other matters, but it merits some time.