The government has suffered three defeats in the House of Lords over plans to detain mental health patients who have not committed an offence.
The Mental Health Bill would allow people with severe personality disorders to be confined if judged a threat to themselves or others.

Peers voted that treatment could only be given if it is likely to help.

They also voted to remove some grounds for diagnosis and ensure more frequent examinations of detained patients.

'Right balance'

Critics argue the bill is draconian and could prevent some people from coming forward to seek treatment.

But Health Minister Rosie Winterton said: "Every barrier that is put in the way of getting treatment to people with serious mental health problems puts both patients and the public at risk.

"We believe that this bill strikes the right balance between getting treatment to those who need it, putting in place patient safeguards and minimising the risk to the public."

Conservative, Lib Dem and non-aligned peers jointly tabled a series of amendments to the plans.

In the first government defeat, the Lords voted to rule out using sexuality, criminality and cultural or religious beliefs as grounds for diagnosing a mental disorder.

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Simon
Viewpoint Webteam