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What is the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003?
Back to the Mental health information page.
The Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 came into effect in October 2005 and gave individuals rights which previously didn't exist. It is often referred to as the new Act and states
- when you can be given treatment against your will
- when you can be taken into hospital against your will
- what your rights are
- how your rights and safety are protected.
It is based on a set of principles that the people providing your care and treatment must take into account when making decisions as listed:
- non discrimination
- equality
- respect for diversity
- reciprocity
- informal care
- participation
- respect for carers
- least restrictive alternative
- benefit
- child welfare
The Act uses the term mental disorder to cover mental illness, personality disorder and learning disability.
Support in Mind Scotland is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship (Scotland), a company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland SC088179. Registered Office: 1 Rutland Court, Edinburgh EH3 8EY. Charity Number SC 013649.