Government’s troubled Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill continues to attract criticism because of the conflict of interest embedded within some of the principles of the draft legislation.
Sector leaders have already set out their position that those managers with a controlling interest over care and support businesses should not be in charge of processes and decisions to deprive people of their liberty.
But there is no question that reform is much needed and a properly constructed Bill would be a welcome development. Sector leaders have urged government to collaborate with the sector – not oppose it – to get the principles within the legislation right and fit for purpose.
In the latest development further concerns about the Bill have been raised, this time by the Joint Select Committee. The objectivity of deprivation of liberty processes, under government’s proposals, have again been called into question.
DR UK Deputy CEO Sue Bott said:
"The social care sector and those concerned with human rights are united in opposing the Mental Capacity Amendment Bill in its current form, yet the Government are persisting in rushing this legislation through Parliament. DRUK urges Parliament to reject this Bill. It takes the rights of people subject to deprivation of their liberty backwards, undermines their human rights and flies in the face of our international obligations. We accept there are problems with the current Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (D oLS) but this not the way to solve it."
Judy Downey, chair of the Relatives & Residents Association said:
“The Joint Committee on Human Rights has joined the chorus of disapproval about this Bill. It has highlighted the fact that the Bill does not meet the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights. Let’s hope that the Government takes notice and urgently redrafts the Bill accordingly.”
The Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill was introduced to the House of Lords on 3 July 2018. Sector leaders welcomed the very first discussion with senior officials and Ministers on 25 October 2018 – a meeting that was held with provider, commissioner and charity representatives.
Rhidian Hughes, chief executive of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG), said:
“We are pleased that government is now meaningfully beginning to engage with the sector. We still have a number of concerns about the Bill, a significant one being the conflict of interest issues. We see the conflict of interest as a threat to good care for individuals which risks placing providers in an unfair position where their integrity could be questioned because of a badly thought through Bill.”
Care providers recognise the need for reform but emphasise that this Bill must not be rushed through Parliament without the current weaknesses within it being completely resolved.
Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England, said:
“We want to work jointly with the DHSC and Ministers and we welcome the interest shown by them at our meeting last week. We hope the many detailed items which were discussed have been captured by officials and will now be actioned in terms of government amendments to the Bill.”
Notes for editors
A cross-sector representation of issues and concerns relating to the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill, was published by a number of organisations representing people who use services, family and carer groups and independent and voluntary sector providers.
The passage of the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill can be tracked here
The report of the Joint Select Committee can be accessed here
Twitter: #MCAB