Psychiatrists criticise delay in introduction of Capacity Bill

The College of Psychiatrists, the professional body for psychiatrists in Ireland, has criticised the Government’s delay in introducing the Capacity Bill.

The Government has pledged to introduce a new capacity Bill, which detailed supported decision-making mechanisms for people with intellectual disabilities.

The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill would replace the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871.

The Bill was published almost two years ago but has yet to reach committee stage in the Oireachtas.

The college said it is “very concerned” about the delay in the development of the Capacity Bill.

“Much good work has gone into producing a Bill, but if the current Oireachtas term ends without the enactment of a Capacity Act to give legislative powers that promote decision-making in a person-centred manner, then we may have to wait for several more years for the current out-of-date legislation to be replaced,” the college said.

Anti-psychotic drugs

The college was responding to a series of articles in The Irish Times this week highlighting the scale of anti-psychotic drug use in nursing homes and disability centres.

It proposes that neuroleptic medications should only be prescribed in vulnerable people by specialists with appropriate training and competencies.

Minister of State Kathleen Lynch said stronger oversight over the prescription of powerful psychotropic drugs for vulnerable patients is needed.

“I have serious concerns over these issues,” she said. “If a person with difficult behaviour is being chemically controlled or restrained, what kind of quality of life does that person have, especially where there are other ways of addressing these issues?”

The college said it is aware of deficits in resources to support patients and called for appropriate resources that will reduce the stresses that can lead to mental illness.

“Under the financial restraints that currently apply to service providers, it seems unavoidable that vulnerable people will lack appropriate supports and environments and will present with psychological distress as a result. This is not satisfactory.”