Latest news with #Merron
Leader Live
26-05-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Passing police detention powers to NHS staff ‘could cause significant harm'
The Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, the Royal College of Nursing and Association of Directors of Adult Social Services are among those saying proposed changes to the Mental Health Bill will set a 'dangerous precedent' that puts people at risk. In March, the Government suffered several defeats in the Lords as peers debated ways to modernise mental health legislation. Conservative shadow health minister Lord Kamall proposed a change to the Mental Health Bill so that nurses, doctors and other staff could carry out detentions of patients without the need for police officers to attend incidents. Health minister Baroness Merron told the Lords the Government did not support 'extending police powers in this way' but peers backed the Conservative proposal, resulting in changes to the draft new law. The changes mean powers previously reserved only for police could be transferred to health or other professionals to detain and restrain people in crisis, in public spaces or at home. It comes after concerns have repeatedly been raised by police leaders about the pressures mental health issues are placing on policing. Launching a joint statement, major health organisations have expressed 'grave concerns' and argue the 'police play a crucial role in carrying out many tasks that medical practitioners cannot perform, such as assessing whether a home is safe to enter'. They said 'reducing police involvement in mental health emergencies could lead to serious risks for both patients and clinicians.' The joint statement said wording accompanying the amendment 'states that 'the proposed amendments would remove the need for the presence of police at mental health incidents in the absence of any risk.' 'This is misleading as instances of detentions under the Mental Health Act where there is no risk are almost non-existent. 'It also negates the fact that the mere presence of uniformed officers can ensure that an otherwise risky situation remains contained and safe.' Transferring police powers to health professionals also risks damaging their 'therapeutic relationships' with patients, the signatories said. This has the 'double-effect' of hindering the ability to provide care, while also deterring people from seeking help from services where they might be forcibly detained, they added. The organisations said the changes 'have not been tested' with health professionals or discussed with patients. Their statement said: 'We are keen to work with police and Government to find ways to improve responses to mental health crises to ensure the safety of all professionals involved, patients and the community.' Dr Lade Smith, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said delegating police powers to health professionals 'would not be within the spirit' of the proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act. She added: 'It is well known that at times, people experiencing a mental health crisis cannot be safely reached and cared for without the assistance of the police. 'Delegating police powers without proper consultation or planning is likely to disproportionately affect those from minoritised backgrounds and would increase risk to patients and compromise the safety of others. It sets a dangerous precedent. 'Like mental health services, the police are facing significant workload pressures. 'It is simply logical and now vital that we work together to develop more effective ways of responding to mental health crises.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Extending police powers to other professionals would represent a major shift in the roles, responsibilities and practice for health and care staff and would place additional resource on an already stretched NHS at a time where we are trying to rebuild a health service fit for the future. 'It also raises questions around whether it is right for the health and social care professionals to have powers to use reasonable force which could have implications for patient, public and staff safety, as well as potentially damaging the relationships clinicians have with patients. 'We are grateful to health and social care stakeholders for their in-depth engagement on this complex issue.' Signatories to the joint statement are: – Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE)– Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)– Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Leads Network– British Association of Social Workers (BASW)– British Medical Association (BMA)– College of Paramedics– Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM)– Royal College of Nursing (RCN)– Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych)
South Wales Guardian
26-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Passing police detention powers to NHS staff ‘could cause significant harm'
The Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, the Royal College of Nursing and Association of Directors of Adult Social Services are among those saying proposed changes to the Mental Health Bill will set a 'dangerous precedent' that puts people at risk. In March, the Government suffered several defeats in the Lords as peers debated ways to modernise mental health legislation. Conservative shadow health minister Lord Kamall proposed a change to the Mental Health Bill so that nurses, doctors and other staff could carry out detentions of patients without the need for police officers to attend incidents. Health minister Baroness Merron told the Lords the Government did not support 'extending police powers in this way' but peers backed the Conservative proposal, resulting in changes to the draft new law. The changes mean powers previously reserved only for police could be transferred to health or other professionals to detain and restrain people in crisis, in public spaces or at home. It comes after concerns have repeatedly been raised by police leaders about the pressures mental health issues are placing on policing. Launching a joint statement, major health organisations have expressed 'grave concerns' and argue the 'police play a crucial role in carrying out many tasks that medical practitioners cannot perform, such as assessing whether a home is safe to enter'. They said 'reducing police involvement in mental health emergencies could lead to serious risks for both patients and clinicians.' The joint statement said wording accompanying the amendment 'states that 'the proposed amendments would remove the need for the presence of police at mental health incidents in the absence of any risk.' 'This is misleading as instances of detentions under the Mental Health Act where there is no risk are almost non-existent. 'It also negates the fact that the mere presence of uniformed officers can ensure that an otherwise risky situation remains contained and safe.' Transferring police powers to health professionals also risks damaging their 'therapeutic relationships' with patients, the signatories said. This has the 'double-effect' of hindering the ability to provide care, while also deterring people from seeking help from services where they might be forcibly detained, they added. The organisations said the changes 'have not been tested' with health professionals or discussed with patients. Their statement said: 'We are keen to work with police and Government to find ways to improve responses to mental health crises to ensure the safety of all professionals involved, patients and the community.' Dr Lade Smith, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said delegating police powers to health professionals 'would not be within the spirit' of the proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act. She added: 'It is well known that at times, people experiencing a mental health crisis cannot be safely reached and cared for without the assistance of the police. 'Delegating police powers without proper consultation or planning is likely to disproportionately affect those from minoritised backgrounds and would increase risk to patients and compromise the safety of others. It sets a dangerous precedent. 'Like mental health services, the police are facing significant workload pressures. 'It is simply logical and now vital that we work together to develop more effective ways of responding to mental health crises.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Extending police powers to other professionals would represent a major shift in the roles, responsibilities and practice for health and care staff and would place additional resource on an already stretched NHS at a time where we are trying to rebuild a health service fit for the future. 'It also raises questions around whether it is right for the health and social care professionals to have powers to use reasonable force which could have implications for patient, public and staff safety, as well as potentially damaging the relationships clinicians have with patients. 'We are grateful to health and social care stakeholders for their in-depth engagement on this complex issue.' Signatories to the joint statement are: – Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE)– Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)– Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Leads Network– British Association of Social Workers (BASW)– British Medical Association (BMA)– College of Paramedics– Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM)– Royal College of Nursing (RCN)– Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych)
North Wales Chronicle
26-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Passing police detention powers to NHS staff ‘could cause significant harm'
The Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, the Royal College of Nursing and Association of Directors of Adult Social Services are among those saying proposed changes to the Mental Health Bill will set a 'dangerous precedent' that puts people at risk. In March, the Government suffered several defeats in the Lords as peers debated ways to modernise mental health legislation. Conservative shadow health minister Lord Kamall proposed a change to the Mental Health Bill so that nurses, doctors and other staff could carry out detentions of patients without the need for police officers to attend incidents. Health minister Baroness Merron told the Lords the Government did not support 'extending police powers in this way' but peers backed the Conservative proposal, resulting in changes to the draft new law. The changes mean powers previously reserved only for police could be transferred to health or other professionals to detain and restrain people in crisis, in public spaces or at home. It comes after concerns have repeatedly been raised by police leaders about the pressures mental health issues are placing on policing. Launching a joint statement, major health organisations have expressed 'grave concerns' and argue the 'police play a crucial role in carrying out many tasks that medical practitioners cannot perform, such as assessing whether a home is safe to enter'. They said 'reducing police involvement in mental health emergencies could lead to serious risks for both patients and clinicians.' The joint statement said wording accompanying the amendment 'states that 'the proposed amendments would remove the need for the presence of police at mental health incidents in the absence of any risk.' 'This is misleading as instances of detentions under the Mental Health Act where there is no risk are almost non-existent. 'It also negates the fact that the mere presence of uniformed officers can ensure that an otherwise risky situation remains contained and safe.' Transferring police powers to health professionals also risks damaging their 'therapeutic relationships' with patients, the signatories said. This has the 'double-effect' of hindering the ability to provide care, while also deterring people from seeking help from services where they might be forcibly detained, they added. The organisations said the changes 'have not been tested' with health professionals or discussed with patients. Their statement said: 'We are keen to work with police and Government to find ways to improve responses to mental health crises to ensure the safety of all professionals involved, patients and the community.' Dr Lade Smith, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said delegating police powers to health professionals 'would not be within the spirit' of the proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act. She added: 'It is well known that at times, people experiencing a mental health crisis cannot be safely reached and cared for without the assistance of the police. 'Delegating police powers without proper consultation or planning is likely to disproportionately affect those from minoritised backgrounds and would increase risk to patients and compromise the safety of others. It sets a dangerous precedent. 'Like mental health services, the police are facing significant workload pressures. 'It is simply logical and now vital that we work together to develop more effective ways of responding to mental health crises.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Extending police powers to other professionals would represent a major shift in the roles, responsibilities and practice for health and care staff and would place additional resource on an already stretched NHS at a time where we are trying to rebuild a health service fit for the future. 'It also raises questions around whether it is right for the health and social care professionals to have powers to use reasonable force which could have implications for patient, public and staff safety, as well as potentially damaging the relationships clinicians have with patients. 'We are grateful to health and social care stakeholders for their in-depth engagement on this complex issue.' Signatories to the joint statement are: – Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE)– Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)– Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Leads Network– British Association of Social Workers (BASW)– British Medical Association (BMA)– College of Paramedics– Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM)– Royal College of Nursing (RCN)– Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych)
Glasgow Times
26-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Passing police detention powers to NHS staff ‘could cause significant harm'
The Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, the Royal College of Nursing and Association of Directors of Adult Social Services are among those saying proposed changes to the Mental Health Bill will set a 'dangerous precedent' that puts people at risk. In March, the Government suffered several defeats in the Lords as peers debated ways to modernise mental health legislation. Conservative shadow health minister Lord Kamall proposed a change to the Mental Health Bill so that nurses, doctors and other staff could carry out detentions of patients without the need for police officers to attend incidents. Health minister Baroness Merron told the Lords the Government did not support 'extending police powers in this way' but peers backed the Conservative proposal, resulting in changes to the draft new law. The changes mean powers previously reserved only for police could be transferred to health or other professionals to detain and restrain people in crisis, in public spaces or at home. It comes after concerns have repeatedly been raised by police leaders about the pressures mental health issues are placing on policing. Launching a joint statement, major health organisations have expressed 'grave concerns' and argue the 'police play a crucial role in carrying out many tasks that medical practitioners cannot perform, such as assessing whether a home is safe to enter'. They said 'reducing police involvement in mental health emergencies could lead to serious risks for both patients and clinicians.' The joint statement said wording accompanying the amendment 'states that 'the proposed amendments would remove the need for the presence of police at mental health incidents in the absence of any risk.' 'This is misleading as instances of detentions under the Mental Health Act where there is no risk are almost non-existent. 'It also negates the fact that the mere presence of uniformed officers can ensure that an otherwise risky situation remains contained and safe.' Transferring police powers to health professionals also risks damaging their 'therapeutic relationships' with patients, the signatories said. This has the 'double-effect' of hindering the ability to provide care, while also deterring people from seeking help from services where they might be forcibly detained, they added. The organisations said the changes 'have not been tested' with health professionals or discussed with patients. Their statement said: 'We are keen to work with police and Government to find ways to improve responses to mental health crises to ensure the safety of all professionals involved, patients and the community.' Dr Lade Smith, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said delegating police powers to health professionals 'would not be within the spirit' of the proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act. She added: 'It is well known that at times, people experiencing a mental health crisis cannot be safely reached and cared for without the assistance of the police. 'Delegating police powers without proper consultation or planning is likely to disproportionately affect those from minoritised backgrounds and would increase risk to patients and compromise the safety of others. It sets a dangerous precedent. 'Like mental health services, the police are facing significant workload pressures. 'It is simply logical and now vital that we work together to develop more effective ways of responding to mental health crises.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Extending police powers to other professionals would represent a major shift in the roles, responsibilities and practice for health and care staff and would place additional resource on an already stretched NHS at a time where we are trying to rebuild a health service fit for the future. 'It also raises questions around whether it is right for the health and social care professionals to have powers to use reasonable force which could have implications for patient, public and staff safety, as well as potentially damaging the relationships clinicians have with patients. 'We are grateful to health and social care stakeholders for their in-depth engagement on this complex issue.' Signatories to the joint statement are: – Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) – Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) – Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Leads Network – British Association of Social Workers (BASW) – British Medical Association (BMA) – College of Paramedics – Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) – Royal College of Nursing (RCN) – Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych)
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Second take-at-home pill for endometriosis approved for NHS use
A new daily pill treating endometriosis has been approved for use on the NHS in pill, called linzagolix, will soon become available for over 1,000 women to help manage symptoms of the estimated endometriosis affects 1.5 million women in the UK - it can cause chronic pain, heavy periods and extreme condition occurs when cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body like the pelvis, bladder and bowel. Linzagolix is the second take-at-home pill to become available on the March, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approved a similar treatment called relugolix combination two pills differ slightly as linzagolix will require additional 'add back' treatment, whereas relugolix combination therapy combines the two into one list price for linzagolix is £80 for a monthly pack of tablets while a 28-day course of relugolix costs the NHS £72. What are the symptoms of endometriosis? Severe period pain that stops you from doing normal activitiesVery heavy periodsPain when you poo or peeOther symptoms can include pain in your lower tummy, pain after sex, fatigue, shortness of breath, low mood, anxietyDifficulty getting pregnant Although there is no cure for endometriosis, current treatments include pain relievers and hormone injections which temporarily shut down the body's production of oestrogen - the hormone which causes endometriosis tissue to grow and cause patients often need to travel to hospitals to have the injections, which last for up to three clinical trials, linzagolix was shown to reduce painful periods and non-menstrual pelvic pain when compared with a dummy pill works by blocking specific hormones including charity Endometriosis UK says this will then induce a 'medical menopause' and will be used alongside 'add back' hormone therapy.'Add back' therapy uses low dose hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent menopause-like symptoms and bone will only be available specifically for patients whose previous medical or surgical treatments have been unsuccessful. Dr Sue Mann, national clinical director in women's health for NHS England, said the new pill was welcome news for women living with endometriosis."It's another treatment option which will help women take control of their health and better manage the symptoms of this often painful and debilitating condition."This is a testament to our ongoing commitment to improving treatment, care and quality of life for women – giving women more choice in treatment they can take in the comfort of their own homes."Women's Health Minister Baroness Merron, said the daily pill could be "a game-changer" for thousands of women battling endometriosis, which can be "a debilitating and life-limiting condition". Endometriosis UK chief executive Emma Cox said the charity welcomed the approval of linzagolix for NHS use in England and called on "all other nations to approve this medication as an option available to all across the UK"."There are far too few options available due to the historic lack of research into endometriosis, and we are pleased to see NICE approving this new medication for endometriosis."Welsh ministers have issued directions to the NHS in Wales, in line with NICE guidance, which requires they provide funding and resources for new approved treatments within 60 days.
