Mental Health Report ‘Highlights Harsh Reality For Vulnerable Patients’ Committee Outlines Concerns Over Support For Severely Ill 21.08.2013 By Rob Dixon A new report by the Health Select Committee has shone a spotlight on how the severely mentally ill are among the people most affected by cuts to services and why it is vital for those with concerns to seek advice, according to a legal specialist. According to a new study by a group of MPs, there is evidence of some mental health patients being sectioned in order to secure hospital treatment, while there was a warning that safeguards such as those related to deprivation of liberty were being ignored in some cases. The committee called for a review to be carried out into the variations in use of such measures and an action plan to be formulated for improving the situation. Rethink, the mental health charity, were among a number of bodies to raise concerns over the ‘shocking’ findings. Irwin Mitchell’s specialist Public Law team represent a number of patients and their loved ones in relation to issues regarding standards related to health and social care services across the UK. Alex Peebles, a solicitor at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office who specialises in the area, said: “Our experience of regularly acting for mental health patients and their carers suggests that the severely mentally ill are faring particularly badly as a result of local authority spending cuts and NHS ‘efficiency’ savings. “We are aware of a number of instances where community services have been withdrawn without suitable alternative placements and this leaves patients vulnerable to compulsory detention in hospital. This can have a devastating impact on them and their families. This patient group is particularly at risk because the very nature of their illness makes it difficult for them to speak out. “But the law does give all patients certain rights and we would urge any individuals or groups of patients to get legal advice if they do have concerns over whether the NHS or their local authority has acted lawfully in such situations.” Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in relation to Social and Healthcare Law Press contact James Clarke Press Officer +44 (0)161 838 3169 Email James Tags Public Law Social And Healthcare Alex Peebles Newcastle Related articles 20.02.2019Handyman Devastated By Asbestos Cancer Diagnosis Calls On Ex-Butlins Filey Colleagues For Help 19.02.2019Light Aircraft Passengers At Risk Of Being Left Unable To Access Funds Due To Inadequate Insurance Rules 18.02.2019Essex Teenager Seriously Hurt By Drink And Drugs Driver Issues Road Safety Plea 18.02.2019Legal Experts Urge Abuse Survivors Not To Suffer In Silence After Teaching Assistant Carl Jones Jailed For Sex Offences 15.02.2019Transgender Man Fights For Right To Be Recognised As Father On Child's Birth Certificate 14.02.2019Former Shipyard Worker Seeks Answers After Lung Cancer Diagnosis Is Linked To Asbestos