Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea has urged fellow MPs not to make a political football of the proposed Mental Health Bill, which demands multi-disciplinary care for people with mental disorders and introduces a commissioner to safeguard the rights of patients.

Visibly emotional, Mr Galea said mental disorders were already an issue which carried a lot of stigma and one should not make it any more difficult for patients. The Bill, which was not controversial, would not only drastically change the mentality towards individuals suffering from mental illness but would also transform the sector itself.

In a 90-minute speech introducing the 68-page Bill, Mr Galea said the proposed legislation was client-oriented, its weight on the patient’s rights as opposed to the current law, the emphasis of which was on involuntary treatment and admission to an institution.

The patient would now be more active, receiving treatment with full knowledge of the programme offered by the practitioners. Moreover, community treatment was being given more importance, rather than the sole focus being on Mount Carmel Hospital.

The powers of the Commissioner for Mental Health would also increase since the Bill provided that the commissioner should be roped in on decisions touching upon hospital admission periods.

Mr Galea said he hoped that the debate would be characterised by constructive criticism to ensure the protection of people with mental health problems, which were expected to become more common than cancer cases.

The Bill dealt with the regulation of provisions of the mental health service, care and rehabilitation while promoting the rights of the patients.

It provided for efficient care where medical professionals would design a programme tailored to the patient’s needs.

The patient could choose his responsible carer, who would play an important role in the drafting and in the execution of the care programme.

Should the responsible carer not act in the interest of the patient, he would be removed by the commissioner and another carer would be appointed.

Explaining the section of the Bill that dealt with the admission to a licensed facility and community treatment, Mr Galea said the observation period was being reduced from 28 to 10 days.

Patients would be examined by a psychiatrist within 24 hours and the observation period would be used by the medical specialists to determine the patient’s situation and plan his care.

The commissioner would have the power to carry out checks and balances in the mental health sector.

He would also have the authority to certify a person with a mental health incapacitation with the backing of a team of professionals, including specialists. Involuntary treatment for minors should preferably be given in the community and not in hospitals.

The Bill would be drastically shortening the periods of involuntary care and also prohibit the use of invasive devices, psychosurgery and sterilisation of minors. Restrictive care would only be permissible in cases where it would prevent harm to the patient or others.

Mental health facilities would require specific licensing and protocols to be able to operate.

The Bill imposed multidisciplinary treatment and coordination between professionals.

It emphasised the need for social inclusion. The commissioner would need to make recommendations to different authorities to remove the stigma associated with mental health and to avoid discrimination.

Concluding, Mr Galea said that the Bill, which was the result of long discussions with various stakeholders, did not judge but offered empathy and compassion while giving rights to mental health patients.

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