Anne's Law: FOI release

Information requested

You asked whether Anne's Law explicitly includes mental health wards for dementia patients so their Loved Ones can exercise their Human Rights.

Response

In answer to your query I can confirm that, as it stands, the Anne’s Law provisions included within the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill do not contain provisions in relation to mental health wars for dementia patients.

However, now that the Bill has been introduced it is for the Scottish Parliament to decide on the final shape of Anne’s Law and the issue you raise may be something that the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee of the Parliament looks into during the stage 1 process of the Bill.

In the meantime I can share a copy of the latest hospital visiting guidance as this contains a section on visiting loved ones in mental health wards. If you have any concerns regarding the implementation of this guidance I would advise you to discuss this with the relevant clinical team in the first instance or the Care Inspectorate if your concerns remain.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-hospital-visiting-guidance/pages/mental-healthlearning-disability-neurodevelopment-and-addictions/

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