Mental Health (Capacity To Consent To Treatment) Bill 2018

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

Ages 16 and 17 would be able to consent to their own mental health treatment, including staying in an approved centre for treatment, without needing a parent or guardian’s consent. If a young person who has agreed to treatment later wants to leave, staff could keep them there briefly, and in some cases transfer them to the Health Service Executive, if they believe the young person has a mental disorder or that a parent or guardian should be informed. It matters because it gives older teenagers clearer control over their treatment while also building in a short safeguard where staff are worried about safety.

Formal long title

Bill entitled An Act to amend the Mental Health Act 2001 and for that purpose to provide for the right of minors over the age of 16 to consent to mental health treatment and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 20 April 2020