About the Review
Formal Announcement
In October 2002 DHSSPS initiated a major, wide-ranging and independent review of the law, policy and provision affecting people with mental health needs or a learning disability in Northern Ireland. The Review follows similar exercises in England and Scotland, and is expected to take at least 2 years to complete.
Chair and Steering Committee
The Review is being overseen by a Steering Committee comprising representatives from professional and other interested groups in the mental health and learning disability fields, under the Chairmanship of Professor David Bamford of the University of Ulster. Professor Roy McClelland of Queen’s University, Belfast, is the Deputy Chair. The Steering Committee has been meeting monthly since December 2002
Scope of Review
The Review will take into account recent policy and other developments here and in the European Union, and address how best to provide services to people with specific mental health needs or a learning disability in accordance with the statutory equality obligations of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, with the Human Rights Act 1998, and to promote their social inclusion.
Equally, the Review will address how to promote positive mental health in society, analysing the relevance of key concepts such as community education, prevention and the promotion of mental health awareness. The Review will undertake research to facilitate its work and will seek out exemplars of best practice which are available regionally, nationally and internationally.
The Review will also cover the role and function of the Mental Health Commission and the Mental Health Review Tribunal, and relevant social issues including education, employment, housing, and social security benefits. It will work in partnership with the Northern Ireland Office and criminal justice agencies to review therapeutic intervention with offenders who have psychiatric difficulties. Issues relating to incapacity will also be addressed.
Work to Date
In October 2002, Professor Bamford wrote to a wide range of statutory, voluntary, community, academic, professional and other bodies seeking initial submissions on the strengths and weaknesses of current legislation, policy and service delivery in the fields of mental health or learning disability. The Chairman also wrote to a similar range of organisations seeking details of recent and current research and strategy documents which these organisations had either undertaken or commissioned.
Responses to these letters helped inform preparations for the work of the Steering Committee and the focus of the expert Working Committees which are being established, to examine and report on, after thorough consultation, a number of key issues /areas.
Current Position
Much of the work of the review is being carried forward through 10 expert Working Committees reporting back to the Steering Committee on specific issues. Four of these Working Committees were established in the first half of 2003 with the remainder established since July 2003.
