New mental health laws do not go far enough, an alliance of 75 organisations working with mentally ill people says.
The Mental Health Alliance (MHA) has questioned community treatment orders, a key part of the Mental Health Act, which came into force last month.

The orders can force patients to take medication in the community if they pose a risk to themselves or others.

The MHA says this gives too much power to psychiatrists without giving the mentally ill a right to more services.

Ministers have been trying to update mental health legislation since 1998.

It took nine years of wrangling before the controversial Mental Health Act passed into law at the end of July.

'Right skills'

The MHA, which includes charities, carers and professionals, says there are improvements but also worrying developments.

The new laws allow doctors to issue the supervised community treatment orders, which force patients to take medicine and place them under detention if required.
Where someone leaves hospital and then stops taking their medication, a treatment order could be made forcing them to be readmitted.

The alliance says intensive support for mental health patients, rather than treatment orders, can transform lives.

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Simon
Viewpoint Webteam

SOURCE: BBC News Online