Today, July 10th, Senator Máire Devine is moving a Bill through the Seanad. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2017 will ensure involuntary patients in hospital for mental heath treatment will have their Advance Healthcare Directives respected.
Currently, involuntary mental health patients are the only group in Ireland who are excluded from having Advance Healthcare Directives fulfilled.
Mental Health Reform support the movement of this Bill to ensure that involuntary patients have a voice in their treatment and have their will and preference for mental health treatment to be fulfilled and respected.
You can find out more about AHD’s in this Briefing Document related to the reform of the Mental Health Act, 2001 by clicking here.
What is an Advance Healthcare Directive?
An Advance Healthcare Directive (AHD) is a statement set out by someone when they have capacity to make decisions, about their will & preferences for future care & treatment. The AHD comes into effect, if & when, the person becomes unwell, & no longer has decision making capacity