. Mr. Chalke said his office will be “rigorously monitoring” their implementation and publicly reporting on progress.
Upon admission, facilities are required to fill out a number of forms that authorize and set out the reasons for detention, describe and authorize a proposed course of psychiatric treatment; require a physician to assess the patient’s capability to consent to treatment; provide information about the patient’s rights; and provide the patient with an opportunity to notify a close relative.
“Obviously it’s not possible to obtain informed consent to such an expanse of treatment options,” Mr. Chalke said. “The word ‘etcetera’ at the end of the stamp makes it even more problematic to obtain informed consent.”In addition to recommendations regarding accountability measures and 100-per-cent compliance with procedural safeguards, the report calls on the government to create an independent service with legislated powers to help patients navigate their rights.