01 September 2010
Chambré Public Affairs in association with Disability Action’s Centre on Human Rights for People with Disabilities is organising:
Seminar on Mental Capacity Law Reform in Northern Ireland
09.00-13.00 Wednesday 1 September 2010
NICVA, Duncairn Gardens, Belfast
About the Seminar
Chaired by Professor Roy McClelland who subsequently led the Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability in Northern Ireland, the seminar is designed to inform stakeholders on the proposals for the reform of mental capacity law in the region; provide a forum for stakeholders to discuss the impact of the proposals; and help inform the consultation on the Equality Impact Assessment of the draft legislation.
Speakers include Linda Brown, Deputy Secretary of DHSSPS and Pat McConville, head of the DHSSPS Legislation Unit, responsible for drafting the Bill. He will provide an overview of the proposed legislation and will also be keen to hear from stakeholders on equality impact considerations as part of the consultation process.
Other speakers include:
Maureen Piggot, Director Mencap Northern Ireland
Martin Daly, Service User Consultant with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Maeve Hully, Chief Executive, Client and Patient Council
Marian Cinnamond, Advoacy Manager, the Alzheimer’s Society
Ethne Harkness, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Ursula O’Hare, Assistant Director of Policy, the Law Centre (NI)
Virginia McVea, Human Rights Advisor to the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority
Dr Colin Harper, Manager of Disability Action’s Centre on Human Rights
Dr Frederick Browne, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist
Click here to download the agenda for the event.
Cost per delegate: £125 (ex VAT) or £105 (ex VAT) for Disability Action members and members of Mental Health and Learning Disability Alliance.
We will be limiting participation in this event to facilitate discussion. It is therefore recommend that you book early.
To book your place(s), please download and complete the booking form. Click here to download the booking form.
Return the booking form to Arlene McDermott, Chambre Public Affairs LLP, 224 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 6GE Telephone: 028 9066 1066 Fax: 028 9066 3006 Textphone: 028 9029 7882 or email: arlene@chambrepa.com
This booking form is also available in other formats. Please contact Arlene McDermott with your requirements by telephone 028 9066 1006, text phone 028 9029 7878 or email arlene@chambrepa.com.
FURTHER INFORMATION…
Background
A gap currently exists in the law in relation to the care and treatment of those people who are at any time unable to make decisions and reform of the Mental Health Order (1986) is overdue.
In September 2009, following a public consultation on the Government Response to the overall Bamford Review (Delivering the Bamford Vision), the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety announced that it is to introduce a new single Bill into the Assembly to reform mental capacity and mental health legislation in Northern Ireland.
The Bill will provide for the regulation of situations where someone lacks the capacity to make decisions in a range of areas of life; including healthcare, welfare and financial decisions. The single Bill will mean that those who lack capacity will be treated on an equal basis under the same legislation.
Opportunity
The reform of mental capacity legislation is a major opportunity to protect the human rights and dignity of those with a learning or mental health disability and those unable to make significant decisions for themselves.
It also provides Northern Ireland with a unique opportunity to lead the way in developing best practice internationally.
Next steps
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has issued for public consultation its Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on the proposals for mental capacity law reform.
To coincide with this 12-week consultation, Chambré Public Affairs LLP in association with Disability Action’s Centre on Human Rights for People with Disabilities is organising this seminar on Mental Capacity Law Reform in Northern Ireland.
Why attend?
This seminar will provide a unique opportunity for delegates to:
– hear first hand from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on its proposals for mental capacity law reform in Northern Ireland
– consider the impact of proposals on an individual with a learning disability, mental health disability or dementia
– discuss how effectively the legislative proposals will safeguard the rights of the individual
– contribute towards the consultation process on the Equality Impact Assessment.
Who should attend?
The seminar will be of relevance to anyone with an interest in the Mental Capacity Law Reform who would like to participate in this unique consultative event.
