Unless the Government allows major amendments to be made to the Mental Health Bill it faces serious defeats, warned Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Carlile, who chaired the scrutiny committee which reviewed the 2004 draft bill.
A policeman whose hospital doctors failed to tell him he had multiple sclerosis (MS) has received over £10,000 compensation. Sussex Pc Gary Dimmock, 42, was referred by his GP in 1992 with possible MS symptoms, but was not told he had the disease until 2003.
A project that has helped a small group of autistic children understand more about human emotions is being launched nationwide. The project uses cartoons narrated by the actor Stephen Fry to help teach the youngsters about facial expressions.
Commenting on reports that Ruth Kelly has sent one of her children to a private school, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, Sarah Teather MP said:
Former Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has defended her decision to send her son, who has "substantial learning difficulties", to a private school. She said she had removed her son from a state school after professional advice recommended he be placed in a school "able to meet his particular needs".
The House of Lords is to begin detailed consideration of proposals to introduce tougher mental health laws. The new government bill would allow the enforced detention of people who are mentally ill, even if they have not committed any crime.
