Publications

Designated medical practitioners (DMPs) are appointed by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland to assess, and where appropriate, authorise certain treatments requested by the responsible medical officer (RMO) for people subject to compulsory treatment under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003 who do not or cannot consent.

To get a better understanding of what people phoned us about we looked at calls made to the Commission’s advice line in 2019.

To better understand how well advance statements are used in Forensic Mental Health Services (FMHS) we aimed to explore how many individuals treated in these services have an advance statement, any differences between FMHS across Scotland, and opinions of how promoting and using advance statements works in practice.

An infographic summarising our research paper on how long short term detentions last and how they end.

To make sure compulsory treatment is for as short time as possible, the psychiatrist responsible for a person’s care and treatment should regularly review the detention.

The Commission has a statutory duty to promote best practice with the Mental Health. One way we do this is by presenting the key findings of our research and monitoring activity. Our findings on Significantly impaired decision making ability is presented in a summarised format here.

A research study carried out for the Mental Welfare Commission by Reid-Howie Associates (RHA) between January and April 2018, to examine the implementation of 'Rights in Mind' materials produced by the Commission.

This appendix is attached to the report 'The Right to Advocacy' which reviewed how local authorities and NHS Boards are discharging their responsibilities under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. This document contains full responses and associated documents to a questionnaire sent out in July 2017.

This appendix is attached to the report 'The Right to Advocacy' which reviewed how local authorities and NHS Boards are discharging their responsibilities under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2003. This document contains full responses and associated documents to a questionnaire sent out in July 2017.

This report is a review of how local authorities and NHS Boards are discharging their responsibilities under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. Information was collected in questionnaires, and full responses can be found in 'Appendix 1 - The Right to Advocacy, adults' and 'Appendix 2 - The Right to Advocacy, children and young people'.

Findings from our consultations with carers, looking at issues surrounding capacity. Carer opinion has been gathered from carer support meetings and discussions with individual carers, including those caring for individuals with mental illness, dementia, learning disability and autism.

This report - written by Colin McKay and Professor Jill Stavert - provides an analysis and discussion of some of the major issues faced by Scottish mental health and capacity legislation.

Findings from our consultations with service users and carer groups, looking at issues around supported decision making and impaired judgement.

 joint report between the Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Mental Welfare Commission on progress towards meeting Commitment 5 of the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland 2012-2015.

A new survey by the Mental Welfare Commission shows that nine out of 10 people who recently applied to become welfare guardians would advise others in their situation to do the same.

This report outlines research and analysis undertaken for the Commission in 2014 regarding welfare and financial guardianship.