Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2015: consultation analysis report

Short summary

For the most part, respondents were generally supportive of the principles underpinning the proposals and many supported detailed proposals.

The issues which saw the most mixed response were those related to transitional arrangements for the new provisions for named persons under the 2003 Act and those related to treatment for patients who have absconded from detention in other jurisdictions. Although the proposals were supported at least in part by most respondents, there were concerns that the proposals needed additional provisions or a different approach to ensure sufficient safeguards to realise service users' rights.

Key themes that emerged across the two consultations included:

• the importance of clear guidance and information for both practitioners and service users and their families;
• the importance of ensuring that the regulations and guidance promote and protect service users' rights;
• the importance of ensuring service users can make use of support through named persons, advance statements and advocacy.

The Scottish Government is very grateful to all those who took the time to respond to these consultations.