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The Draft Mental Health Bill in England: without principles
- Authors:
- THORNICROFT Graham, SZMUKLER George
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 29(7), July 2005, pp.244-247.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
Apart from the support for advocacy, it seems reasonable to conclude that this Bill is lacking in the remaining principles enunciated in the key policy documents that have provided a framework for our discussion. The authors doubt that legislation not founded on the national and international principles underlying modern mental health services can further the objectives of those services. Instead we have concerns that such ungrounded law will undermine the aspirations of both users and providers of mental health services to act in accordance with fundamental principles such as dignity, autonomy, empowerment, access and non-discrimination. In this sense it may not only be without principles, but there is a danger that in some circumstances (for example, when there are pressures for increased social control) its use could become unprincipled.