Chamber
Plenary, 14 Nov 2001
14 Nov 2001 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Mental Health Law
I want first to echo the sentiments that the minister expressed in her speech and to add my support to the motion that is before us.
One in four people in Scotland will suffer from some kind of mental illness during his or her life—a statistic that has been mentioned in the chamber on numerous occasions in the past two years. Many more people are affected indirectly through watching family members and friends suffering the trauma of mental illness. It is therefore important that we offer every support that we can.
The review of mental health law must be welcomed but, as the Millan report says, changing the law is but part of dealing with mental illness. It is an important part, but attitudes must also change. For as long as there remains a stigma attached to mental illness, equality can never be achieved. That is why the principle of care in the community is so important. Allowing those who suffer from mental illness to participate in society is a crucial step, not only towards improving sufferers' care and treatment, but towards removing the unhelpful stigma that is often attached to mental illness. It helps to break down the barriers between those who suffer from mental health problems and those who do not.
The issue of compulsory treatment in the community is—as the minister stated—controversial, but I agree with the Millan report's conclusion that where possible and, obviously, where it is safe do so, we should seek to provide treatment in the community. As Nicola Sturgeon said, compulsory care must be provided for the right reasons and it must not be abused.
I was a nurse in my previous life so I am at least partly aware of the problems that are suffered by people who have mental illnesses. However, I believe—this has been mentioned by many other members and I make no apology for mentioning it again—that there is a real need to educate the public about what mental illness is and about what sufferers require.
In my constituency, the Eastvale resource centre in Rutherglen provides a vital service in helping to break down those barriers. That centre provides a valuable seven-days-a-week psychiatric service to the people in south-east Glasgow who require it. I am sure that the Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care is well aware of the work that is being done at that resource centre, because he recently attended a mental health forum in Rutherglen that was organised by the centre. I know that the organisers were very grateful for his interest.
I am pleased to see that the proposed legislation will also recognise the crucial role that is played by carers in supporting people who suffer from mental illness. As has also been said in the chamber on numerous occasions, the work of carers often goes unrecognised, but for people who suffer from mental illness, carers are crucial; they are the most important people in sufferers' lives.
During the past year, I have visited in my constituency both Rutherglen Community Carers and Cambuslang Community Carers Ltd. Both those organisations demonstrate the vital role that is played by people who care for sufferers of mental illness. The newly recognised right of carers to request assessment is an important step forward.
I have been keen to encourage the Executive to increase support for carers and I am very pleased that that is happening. I hope, however, that the Executive will continue to provide funding for local authorities to offer respite for carers. As I have said previously, the working time directive does not apply to those who must care for loved ones, often for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. I hope sincerely that the Executive takes that on board and continues to give carers the support that they truly deserve.
In conclusion, I am delighted to support the motion and I congratulate the Executive on taking positive steps to improve mental health law in Scotland.
One in four people in Scotland will suffer from some kind of mental illness during his or her life—a statistic that has been mentioned in the chamber on numerous occasions in the past two years. Many more people are affected indirectly through watching family members and friends suffering the trauma of mental illness. It is therefore important that we offer every support that we can.
The review of mental health law must be welcomed but, as the Millan report says, changing the law is but part of dealing with mental illness. It is an important part, but attitudes must also change. For as long as there remains a stigma attached to mental illness, equality can never be achieved. That is why the principle of care in the community is so important. Allowing those who suffer from mental illness to participate in society is a crucial step, not only towards improving sufferers' care and treatment, but towards removing the unhelpful stigma that is often attached to mental illness. It helps to break down the barriers between those who suffer from mental health problems and those who do not.
The issue of compulsory treatment in the community is—as the minister stated—controversial, but I agree with the Millan report's conclusion that where possible and, obviously, where it is safe do so, we should seek to provide treatment in the community. As Nicola Sturgeon said, compulsory care must be provided for the right reasons and it must not be abused.
I was a nurse in my previous life so I am at least partly aware of the problems that are suffered by people who have mental illnesses. However, I believe—this has been mentioned by many other members and I make no apology for mentioning it again—that there is a real need to educate the public about what mental illness is and about what sufferers require.
In my constituency, the Eastvale resource centre in Rutherglen provides a vital service in helping to break down those barriers. That centre provides a valuable seven-days-a-week psychiatric service to the people in south-east Glasgow who require it. I am sure that the Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care is well aware of the work that is being done at that resource centre, because he recently attended a mental health forum in Rutherglen that was organised by the centre. I know that the organisers were very grateful for his interest.
I am pleased to see that the proposed legislation will also recognise the crucial role that is played by carers in supporting people who suffer from mental illness. As has also been said in the chamber on numerous occasions, the work of carers often goes unrecognised, but for people who suffer from mental illness, carers are crucial; they are the most important people in sufferers' lives.
During the past year, I have visited in my constituency both Rutherglen Community Carers and Cambuslang Community Carers Ltd. Both those organisations demonstrate the vital role that is played by people who care for sufferers of mental illness. The newly recognised right of carers to request assessment is an important step forward.
I have been keen to encourage the Executive to increase support for carers and I am very pleased that that is happening. I hope, however, that the Executive will continue to provide funding for local authorities to offer respite for carers. As I have said previously, the working time directive does not apply to those who must care for loved ones, often for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. I hope sincerely that the Executive takes that on board and continues to give carers the support that they truly deserve.
In conclusion, I am delighted to support the motion and I congratulate the Executive on taking positive steps to improve mental health law in Scotland.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S1M-2438, in the name of Susan Deacon, on renewing mental health law, together with an amendment to that moti...
The Minister for Health and Community Care (Susan Deacon):
Lab
I am pleased to speak to the motion and proud to lead a debate on such an important issue.This afternoon we are debating the Executive's proposals for renewi...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Before I call Nicola Sturgeon to move her amendment, once again I ask those who wish to take part to press their request-to-speak buttons, because I have to ...
Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
I welcome today's debate. I have no doubt that there will be considerable consensus across the chamber about the Scottish Executive's proposals. I agree with...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Before I call the representatives of the other two parties, I advise members that the time limit on back-bench speeches will be five minutes.
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
As our business today started with a mention of the patron saint of mothers, on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives, I congratulate the Minister for Health ...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I do not think that it is an arrival as yet. Is it an arrival?
Mary Scanlon:
Con
Did you not know, Presiding Officer? I am not implying anything saintly about the minister, but I am delighted about the news of her new arrival.We are delig...
Mrs Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD):
LD
I congratulate the minister on her impending happy event and pay tribute to the lengths to which she is prepared to go to scrutinise Scotland's maternity ser...
Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab):
Lab
Many members will be aware that, over many years in my previous employment, I gained much experience of mental health services in Scotland, particularly in t...
Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
I am pleased that the minister has now decided to join my campaign to reverse Scotland's declining birth rate. I wish her all the very best over the coming m...
Janis Hughes (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab):
Lab
I want first to echo the sentiments that the minister expressed in her speech and to add my support to the motion that is before us.One in four people in Sco...
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con):
Con
I wish the Minister for Health and Community Care continuing good health.We can welcome the Executive's policy statement with commitment and enthusiasm, beca...
Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP):
SNP
I feel as though I am participating in a discussion rather than in a debate; I am pleased about the consensual approach that the Parliament is adopting on th...
Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab):
Lab
Like others, particularly Margaret Ewing, I very much welcome today's debate on what is an important subject. The Parliament's second bill on mental health w...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green):
Green
I add my congratulations to the minister on her impending good news. My business manager gave birth to a fine bouncing baby last month; I am sure that she wo...
Dr Richard Simpson (Ochil) (Lab):
Lab
I declare that I am still a fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatry and I am a member of SAMH.The Millan report is a patient, thorough and comprehensive re...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
SNP
From now, speeches are down to four minutes.
Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP):
SNP
Presiding Officer, thank you for chopping off the last page of my speech.I join the prevailing consensus in the chamber and welcome the Millan report and the...
Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con):
Con
Members will be well aware of this week's coverage of my daughter Suzy's current problems with an eating disorder. I therefore intend to talk principally abo...
Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I will address two matters, one of which is advocacy, to which others have referred. Individual advocacy has been discussed, and I do not doubt that the mini...
Mr John McAllion (Dundee East) (Lab):
Lab
In the spirit of consensus that is prevailing today, I will begin by welcoming all the speeches that have been made during the debate. In particular, I want ...
George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD):
LD
I, too, congratulate the minister on the announcement of her pregnancy—there has certainly been consensus on that today. There has been consensus throughout ...
Ben Wallace (North-East Scotland) (Con):
Con
The Scottish Conservatives welcome the opportunity to debate the proposals for new legislation on mental health. Mary Scanlon underlined our commitment to th...
Shona Robison (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
The debate has been productive and worth while. There has been much agreement and we are extremely pleased that the SNP's amendment has been accepted. Long m...
The Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care (Malcolm Chisholm):
Lab
The debate has been excellent and, as Margaret Ewing put it, a shining example of what the Parliament is about.There have been continual references to the wi...