Dr. Michael Drumm:

I agree with that. What we are really looking for in this Bill is parity of esteem with physical health. We certainly do not refer to people as physically disordered. That would be offensive and it is the same for mental health. This is very simple and needs to be enshrined in the amended Act. There is no risk in involuntarily detaining a person who is suffering with significant severe mental health difficulties such as schizophrenia. The Act allows for that and the risk element does not need to be included to do that. It is nonsense to say that it is needed, that there is a risk such people will not get treatment or that they will be a danger to themselves and others. That is the case with regard to life-saving treatment relating to physical health and it should be the same for mental health. There is nothing about that in legislation on physical health. It is just in general law. It should be the same.