Mental Health blog posts
All content is subject to changes in the law. For the most up to date advice, call us on 0191 232 9547.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2020
Mental Health Awareness Week 18- 24th May 2020 For most of us, there will never again be a time when so many of us will be affected by mental health issues. Coronavirus came out of nowhere and has caused devastation to many, forcing us to live our lives in very...
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Mental Health Tribunal update
Tribunal set-up For anyone that has attended a Mental Health Tribunal pre-lockdown the 3 person panel will be very familiar. The judge sitting in the middle is assisted by an independent consultant psychiatrist on one side and a lay member (someone involved in social...
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Mike Bishop Retirement
Mike Bishop, Head of our Mental Health team here at David Gray retires today (30 April 2020) and we wanted to say a huge Thank You! Mike has worked at the firm for over 30 years and he will be a huge miss not just amongst colleagues and his fellow partners but...
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Appealing to the Mental Health Tribunal during the Covid-19 pandemic
What is the current procedure? Due to the Covid-19 outbreak steps have been taken to limit the number of public meetings. This includes Court hearings and Mental Health Tribunals. In accordance with Government advice regarding ‘social distancing’ the Tribunal Service...
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The Future of the Mental Health Act
Mental Health Act Reform In her speech following the recent General Election, the Queen outlined how the Government will continue to work to modernise and reform the Mental Health Act. The key objective appears to be to ensure that patients get the support they need,...
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World Mental Health Day
Today is World Mental Health Day. World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10th October. The global event aims to raise awareness, provide support and encourage us all to try and take care of our own mental health. This year’s focus is on suicide prevention....
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Nearest Relative vs Nominated Person
The Independent Mental Health Act Review published their final report in December 2018, the contents of which may be of interest to you if you are detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act or if you are a relative of a patient. Currently, the Nearest Relative...
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The Mental Health Act 1983- Can I refuse treatment?
This is one of the first questions that many people detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983 ask. If you are given medication or offered other treatment in hospital, can you refuse the treatment? What happens if you do? What is the general position? The general...
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Has the 1983 Mental Health Act been ripped up?
In May 2017, Theresa May pledged to “rip up the 1983 Act” by commissioning an independent review into the Mental Health Act with a view of modernising it. In December 2018 the Independent Mental Health Act Review published its final report. Proposed changes for...
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Number of applications to deprive a person of their liberty at a record high in the North East.
Figures released by NHS England in 2016 show that the number of applications for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are at a record high, with the highest number of applications made in the North East. In 2015 there were 195,840 applications to deprive a person...
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Chambers UK 2017
The annual rankings by Chambers UK 2017 have been published and David Gray Solicitors LLP are delighted to find we have maintained our status as a Band 1 provider in the Crime and Family departments. In addition six individual lawyers once again received rankings –...
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World Mental Health Day: “Dignity in Mental Health – Psychological and Mental Health First Aid for All”
World Mental Health Day 2016 was on Monday 10th October and this year’s theme was : “Dignity in Mental Health – Psychological and Mental Health First Aid for All” and aims to address the stigma and discrimination experienced from those suffering mental health issues. ...
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