Question reference: S5W-21286
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 29 January 2019
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Current status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 18 February 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the terms will be of the inquiry into the detainment of patients with learning difficulties at the State Hospital; when the inquiry will begin, and how long it will take.
Answer
The Scottish Government has made clear that the independent review of Learning Disability and Autism in the Mental Health Act, which began in January 2018, is investigating the wider issue of whether the current legislation needs to change for people with learning disability and autism. It is not an investigation into individual patient cases.
It is for the independent review to determine what issues or cases it will consider in order to inform its work. The review will consist of 3 public engagement phases, the 1st stage finished in November 2018 and focussed on understanding current experience of the legislation and how that affects people’s human rights. The responses are currently being analysed and preparation is underway for stage 2 which will run between March and May 2019. The focus for stage 2 will be developing ideas on how to improve legislation, if needed.
I expect the independent review to report to me by the end of the year.