Compulsory treatment
A compulsory treatment order (CTO) is used by healthcare professionals to ensure that mental health patients receive the treatment they need - even when they’re unable to make their own decisions.
Understandably, it can be upsetting when other people are making decisions on your behalf - particularly if you don’t agree with them. If you or a loved one has received a compulsory treatment order, we can help you understand what it means and explain what you need to do next.
If you wish to appeal against a compulsory treatment order, or would like to request changes to your treatment, we can represent you at a mental health review tribunal. Although we can’t prevent compulsory treatment, we can help to ensure that your views are taken into consideration when planning your treatment.
We understand that talking about health issues isn’t always easy but our friendly solicitors will put you at ease and are here to answer any questions you may have. Mental health patients can often use our services free of charge and if you can’t get to our offices, we may be able to visit you. So if you’d like to talk to us about compulsory treatment, call us today on 08082747557.
Expert legal advice you can rely on:
Mental health and capacity
When difficult (and often painful) decisions need to be made, thankfully you can turn to an experienced mental health solicitors to clarify how a person’s mental health problems can be approached with sympathy, dignity and practicality.
Advance decisions for medical treatment
Making an advance decision about medical treatment avoids any misunderstanding on what your wishes are when you can no longer communicate them - QualitySolicitors can help you plan ahead.
Care after lost capacity
If you lose the ability to make decisions due to old age this can be difficult for relatives and loved ones. QualitySolicitors can help you plan ahead for a time when you can no longer share what you think.
Compulsory treatment
A compulsory treatment order (CTO) is used by healthcare professionals to ensure that mental health patients receive the treatment they need - even when they’re unable to make their own decisions.
Court of Protection
When people are unable to make their own decisions because of a mental illness, other people may be required to make decisions on their behalf. Sometimes there may be disagreements surrounding these decisions and that is where the Court of Protection can help.
Deprivation of liberty
As a society, we have a duty to protect vulnerable people. This means that sometimes mental health patients may be detained in a care home or hospital under the Mental Health Act, in order to safeguard their wellbeing. Because they have not chosen to be in the home - or may object to being there - the patient is said to have been ‘deprived of their liberty’.
Detention/sectioning
Under the Mental Health Act, vulnerable people can be detained in hospital if it is felt that this is necessary in order to protect their own health or the safety of others. If you, or a loved one, have been sectioned or are facing detention, it can be a distressing time.
Lasting power of attorney
Whether you’d like to create a power of attorney to provide reassurance for the future, or you need to challenge an existing power of attorney, we can help. At QualitySolicitors we have in-depth knowledge of this specialist area and can answer any questions you may have.
Mental health aftercare
If you have received treatment as a mental health patient, you may need help and support getting your life back on track once your treatment ends. There are many services available free of charge to help mental health patients, their families and carers, from help with accommodation to advice on employment. At QualitySolicitors we can explain what’s available and ensure you get the support you need to build a safe and secure future.
Mental health review tribunals
There may be times when you disagree with the treatment which you, or a loved one, are receiving as a mental health patient. If this happens, you have the right to challenge the decisions at a mental health review tribunal. A tribunal gives you the opportunity to put forward your case and make your wishes known.
