2007 Press Releases
24.10.2007
Radical changes in the law concerning the rights of patients in mental health centres have been made with the full implementation of the Mental Health Act 2001, the main substance of which came into force on 1st November last. The topic of mental health and human rights will be the focus for discussion at a seminar in UCC.
The keynote address will be given by Dr Jimmy Devins., T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability and Mental Health. Speaking recently at the launch of the interim National Service User Executive Strategic Plan, Minister Devins said "It is clear from the findings of 'A Vision for Change', the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, that we need to listen more closely to the views of service users and their carers.”
Dr Mary Donnelly of UCC’s Faculty of Law will explore the topic ‘Treatment for Mental Disorders and Protection of Patients’ Rights’. "We have still some distance to travel in order to reach the important goal of a treatment framework for patients with a mental disorder which is based on the protection of patient rights and the delivery of the highest attainable standard of health", she said.
There have been more than 1,900 hearings of Mental Health Tribunals since the Act came into force. Ms Áine Hynes of Roger Greene and Sons, Solicitors, and a committee member of the Mental Health Lawyers Association, will speak of her experience as a solicitor representing patients at those hearings. Ms Hynes acted as the legal representative for the first patient detained under the 2001 Act and her firm has been involved in nine High Court enquiries into the detention of patients since the beginning of 2007. Six of those cases resulted in the release of the patients concerned and all of these cases have had a significant impact on the interpretation of the 2001 Act.
Dr Darius Whelan, Faculty of Law, UCC will discuss whether the Mental Health Act 2001 and the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 are compatible with European human rights law. “While the new legislation is a vast improvement on the previous law, there remain some improvements which may need to be made to ensure full compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights”, he said.
The seminar will be chaired by Dr Edmond O’Dea, Chairman of the Mental Health Commission. Further information on the seminar is available on the website of UCC’s Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights at
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