The door-knock that brought back years of abuse – BBC News

‘A knock on the door by two detectives changed everything for Mark, bringing back the horrors of sexual abuse he had suffered as a child. Like other survivors of child abuse, he says he found it hard to get any support afterwards.’

Full Story

BBC News, 28th May 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Slough inquest: No missed opportunities in rail deaths – BBC News

Posted May 17th, 2018 in inquests, mental health, news, railways, suicide, unlawful killing by tracey

‘A coroner has said there were “no missed opportunities” in the care of a mother who jumped in front of a train with her 10-year-old son.’

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BBC News, 17th May 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Kent and Medway NHS Trust rapped over mental health care – BBC News

Posted May 9th, 2018 in hospitals, mental health, news, reports, suicide by tracey

‘A health trust which apologised for its treatment of a suicidal woman has been ordered to take action to protect patients it says are still at risk.’

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BBC News, 9th May 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Nine police officers under investigation over death of mentally ill man restrained in custody – The Independent

Posted May 9th, 2018 in death in custody, mental health, news, police, restraint by tracey

‘Nine police officers are being investigated over the death of a man who was taken to hospital after being restrained by police.’

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The Independent, 9th May 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Barristers in England and Wales ‘in grip of mental health crisis’ – The Guardian

‘Criminal barristers are in the grip of a mental health crisis caused by significant increases in the amount of digital evidence, the number of historical sexual assault cases and long hours, the body that represents them has said.’

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The Guardian, 6th May 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Mentally ill subject to ‘physical violence and verbal threats’ while held under Mental Health Act, finds report – The Independent

Posted May 1st, 2018 in care homes, human rights, mental health, news, reports by tracey

‘Mentally ill people are being subjected to “distressing experiences” including physical violence and verbal threats while detained under the Mental Health Act, a government-commissioned review has found.’

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The Independent, 1st May 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Legal profession facing talent drain as mental health problems surge – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted April 27th, 2018 in mental health, news, solicitors by tracey

‘The proportion of trainees who have experienced mental health problems has more than doubled in the last year, a survey has found, as junior lawyers continue to report severe levels of stress. In its 2018 resilience and wellbeing survey, the Law Society’s Junior Lawyers Division (JLD) found that 39% of trainees reported suffering from mental health problems, up from 19% last year. Among the division’s members as a whole, 38% of respondents said they had experienced mental health problems in the past year, up from 26% last time.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 27th April 2018

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Guidance on the Capacity to Litigate in Proceedings Involving Children – April 2018 – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted April 26th, 2018 in children, courts, family courts, mental health, trials by tracey

‘This guidance has been produced to assist judges in the Family Court to resolve mental capacity issues concerning parties to family law proceedings. Designed to be practical and accessible, it will point the judge to key rules and statutory provisions. Lawyers instructed in family proceedings may also find this guidance valuable.’

Full guidance

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 26th April 2018

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Ant McPartlin fined £86,000 for drink-driving – The Guardian

‘The TV presenter Ant McPartlin has been fined £86,000 and disqualified from driving for 20 months after admitting drink-driving.’

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The Guardian, 16th April 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Divorce – how narcissists are tackled by the family courts in England and Dubai – Family Law

Posted April 6th, 2018 in divorce, mental health, news by sally

The narcissist is a challenge for both family court judges and the object of the narcissist’s regime of control and coercion. Faced with an arch deceiver, judges, however experienced they are in identifying dishonesty and manipulation, regularly fall victim to a personality hell bent on winning; but not in Dubai it seems.

Full Story

Family Law, 6th April 2018

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Prisons watchdog demands action after 500 self-harm incidents in six months at young offenders’ institution – The Independent

Posted March 27th, 2018 in mental health, news, prisons, self-harm, violence, young offenders by tracey

‘Prison inspectors have demanded urgent action at a young offenders’ institution that saw more than 500 incidents of self-harm in just six months.’

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The Independent, 27th March 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk

NHS trust fined £2m for Connor Sparrowhawk and Teresa Colvin deaths – The Guardian

Posted March 27th, 2018 in fines, health, health & safety, mental health, news by tracey

‘An NHS trust has been fined a record £2m after admitting “systemic failures” following the deaths of two vulnerable patients. Southern Health pleaded guilty last year to breaching health and safety laws following the deaths of Teresa Colvin and Connor Sparrowhawk, an epileptic teenager with autism who drowned in a bath at an NHS care unit.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 26th March 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Government to legislate for replacement of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards – Local Government Lawyer

‘The government has said this month that it broadly agrees with the Liberty Protection Safeguards model proposed by the Law Commission to replace the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 21st March 2018

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Failings in mental healthcare are violating basic human rights – The Guardian

Posted March 22nd, 2018 in human rights, mental health, news, ombudsmen, reports by sally

‘My report shows that too many people in the UK aren’t being treated with the dignity and respect they should expect when in crisis.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 21st March 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Damning report finds ‘serious failings’ in NHS mental health services – The Guardian

Posted March 21st, 2018 in mental health, news, ombudsmen, psychiatrists, reports by tracey

‘Vulnerable mental health patients are suffering serious harm, and in some cases dying, because of “serious failings” in their treatment, the NHS ombudsman has warned. Mistakes such as failing to diagnose or treat patients properly and discharging them from hospital too soon can have “catastrophic consequences”, said Rob Behrens.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 21st March 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Government commits to protect people with dementia and learning difficulties – Law Commission

Posted March 16th, 2018 in elderly, learning difficulties, mental health, press releases by tracey

‘The government has said it will bring forward legislation to provide greater protection for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. In a Written Ministerial Statement Health Minister Caroline Dinenage said the government broadly agreed with the Liberty Protection Safeguards model proposed by the Law Commission in 2017 and would legislate “when parliamentary time allows”.’

Full press release

Law Commission, 15th March 2018

Source: www.lawcom.gov.uk/

Divorce? You may regret it if you don’t ask for legal advice – Family Law

Posted March 12th, 2018 in agreements, damages, divorce, financial provision, mental health, news by sally

‘Yedina v Yedin and another [2017] EWHC 3319 (Ch) was an interesting case which highlighted the importance of seeking advice from a family lawyer when planning to divorce.’

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Family Law, 9th March 2018

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

CQC: Access to mental health care for children and young people at a ‘crisis point’ – Family Law

Posted March 12th, 2018 in children, health, mental health, news, reports, young persons by sally

‘The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has said UK health care, education and other public services are failing children and young people regarding their access to mental health services – arguing young people are at a ‘crisis point’ when it comes to mental health support. In light of its findings the CQC has made recommendations for the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on how they can best ensure support.’

Full Story

Family Law, 9th March 2018

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Leonne Weeks murder: Jailed Shea Heeley ‘liked killing’ – BBC News

Posted March 6th, 2018 in mental health, murder, news, sentencing, violent offenders by sally

‘A 19-year-old man “obsessed with murder and killing” has been jailed for stabbing a 16-year-old girl to death in a “brutally violent” attack.’

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BBC News, 5th March 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Peter Wrighton murder: Ex-soldier found guilty – BBC News

Posted March 1st, 2018 in armed forces, DNA, mental health, murder, news, sentencing by sally

‘A “callous” ex-soldier has been convicted of murdering an 83-year-old dog walker in an “animalistic” attack.’

Full Story

BBC News, 28th February 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk