A bill on mental health should be presented to cabinet by the end of this month and moved in Parliament in the last quarter for enactment by the end of the year, Health Minister Joe Cassar said this morning.

Speaking during a seminar on the proposed Act this morning, Dr Cassar said the new law provided for the setting up of a Commissioner for Mental Health, whose role would be to promote the right of mental health patients.

It would introduce a treatment community order with the strict criteria which would have to be followed for involuntary treatment in the community.

The proposed law also holds professionals accountable and proposes disciplinary action to be taken if they did not adhere to management protocol. Moreover, they would have to be reported to the Commissioner who would be able to take whatever action he wanted.

The bill, Dr Cassar said, was very client centred and emphasised the rights of patients and their carers. It did not refer to 'next of kin' but to 'person of trust'.

Guardians appointed by court would also have a long list of obligations.