Mr. Michael Ryan:

I would like to raise one other point from our feedback that I feel is important. It relates to the role of families, supporters and carers. They are pivotal in a person's recovery. We talked earlier about experts by experience and they certainly are that. It is a well debated topic around confidentiality and the right of privacy of service users to their own information and I fully support that. The point that has been raised with us is where somebody who might have been involuntarily detained is being released back into a family home or to their primary carers. They are entitled to some information as to why the risk is considered to have reduced and what the warning signs must be. It is a complex issue to deal with but it is important it is on the table.

The other point that was raised with us on family involvement relates to head 9 and the criteria for a detention. At the moment the legislation refers to where there is a clear and imminent risk. However, family members and supporters would say to us that crises do not start at 3 a.m. and that there is a lead up to them and that there should be some provision where there is a clear escalating risk.