I have been meaning to reply to messages sent in by Karen Walton, including one about unlawful practice but I think this message today from Rob Beech about incompetent Panel Members identifies the nub of the problem - the Tribunal Service itself that has no accountability. I have tried unsuccessfully to find out how Panel Members - in particular those who are “Judges” - are qualified to sit on the Panels,.
I am the sister and mha nearest relative of a 72 year old man who was diagnosed with Schizophrenia in January 1970. Until November 2017 he had never had an MHRT (or a Hospital Managers Review) and I knew very little about the process.
Since November 2017 I have learnt that the NR can apply every six months for a non-restricted patient to be discharged from detention. I have also found that an application on behalf of the patient can be made - with the patient’s authorisation - by ANYONE - it does not have to be a solicitor.
I made an application n behalf of my brother last October which was accepted and processed and then withdrawn on his behalf by a solicitor appointed for him by the Tribunal service. I have again made an application on his behalf .on 4 May which has been accepted and is being processed but so far my brother has received nothing. He has not appointed a solicitor and no application has been made by the authority.
Although the hearings themselves are not recorded by the Tribunal Service and it is a “contempt of court” if anyone else makes a recording, the Written Decisions can be made public. Since last August -through NR applications, I have 8 Written Decisions.
I have asked for the Tribunal Service to record the hearings which has been refused.
I will continue to ask for this to be done which would obviously prevent Panel Members from behaving unprofessionally under the cloak of confidentiality
Best wishes
Rosemary Moore
www.mentalmagazine.co.uk
