Mental Health Law

NHS resources strained as cancer referral times miss targets

NHS resources strained as cancer referral times miss targets

27th June 2019

By Gary Adair Healthcare waiting time targets are at the forefront of debate once again after new figures have revealed that 200 patients were not seen by a breast cancer referral... Read more

Northern Ireland Emergency Wait Times Soar

24th June 2019

By Gary Adair The severity of the shortage of resources currently plaguing the health service in Northern Ireland has become increasingly apparent following the revelation that the number of patients waiting... Read more

Six fold increase in NI children waiting for mental health appointment

20th June 2019

By Daren Johnston New figures show that the number of children in Northern Ireland waiting for access to mental health services has increased by more than six times the figure from... Read more

Employers under increased pressure to reform zero-hour worker contracts

12th June 2019

By Gary Adair  Employers in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are under increasing pressure to improve working conditions for workers on zero-hour contracts. The new Living Hours programme... Read more

Survivors of domestic abuse at risk of serious mental health problems

7th June 2019

By Lenore Rice New research, undertaken and published by Birmingham University, indicates that women who experience domestic abuse are three times more likely to develop a mental health problem. A new study... Read more

Still a long way to go for Mental Health support in Northern Ireland

31st May 2019

By Daren JohnstonPartner specialising in Mental Health Law Mental Health resources continue to be stretched in Northern Ireland, and campaigners warn that patients are being put at serious risk. Despite government... Read more

Remarrying couples often unaware that marriage revokes a Will

29th January 2019

By Lenore Rice There is a general lack of understanding about writing a Will, and what happens to your estate if you don't have one, but another aspect that very few... Read more

Over a thousand pounds raised by our marathon teams

14th May 2018

Our marathon relay teams were very delighted to hand over a cheque for £1,240 to Brian Shanks of the Simon Community NI. The team would like to thank everyone who made... Read more

Congratulations to our Wilson Nesbitt marathon teams

8th May 2018

A big congratulations to our marathon relay teams that completed the Belfast Marathon on what was a very warm Bank Holiday Monday.The teams were running for the Simon Community NI,... Read more

NI judge warns of volume of criminal cases involving mental health issues

25th September 2017

By Gary Adair A Northern Ireland judge has warned that the criminal justice system is close to collapse as a result of the number of cases involving mental health issues. Barney McElholm... Read more

Increase in mental health issues among NHS mental health employees

22nd September 2017

By Gary Adair The number of NHS mental health employees who have taken long-term leave as a result of their own mental health problems has increased by 22 per cent. Mental health... Read more

NI employee with mental health issues wins disability discrimination case

4th September 2017

By Gary Adair A Northern Ireland woman has been awarded over £11,000 in compensation after winning her disability discrimination case, which she brought when her employers took 14months to consider her... Read more

Gap in mental health provision in Northern Ireland

8th June 2017

By Gary Adair A new report by the Mental Health Rights Campaign says that there is an overwhelming gap between the need for mental healthcare in Northern Ireland and the provision... Read more

Study suggests age discrimination in mental health treatment

6th June 2017

By Gary Adair A new study has revealed that older patients with mental health problems are much less likely to be referred for counselling and other talking therapies, even though they... Read more

Rate of mental illness is 25 per cent higher in Northern Ireland

11th January 2017

By Gary Adair The rate of mental illness is 25 per cent higher in Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the UK, says Siobhan Doherty of Aware. She called on Theresa... Read more

Study suggests dementia link to living near busy roads

5th January 2017

By Lenore Rice A new study suggests that increased exposure to air pollution or noisy traffic may be a contributing factor to the onset of dementia. The study published in the Lancet... Read more

Diagnosis of dementia in younger people is increasing

27th July 2016

By Lenore Rice Dementia is often considered to be a condition that only affects the elderly, but there are an increasing number of people in their 40s and 50s being diagnosed,... Read more

Wilson Nesbitt secures smoking ban exemption for mental health inpatients

21st April 2016

The new ban on smoking on hospital grounds will not apply to mental health inpatients in the South Eastern Trust following a judicial review lodged by Wilson Nesbitt on behalf... Read more

Mental health care is insufficient in rural parts of Northern Ireland

7th October 2015

By Gary Adair A new study suggests that people in rural parts of Northern Ireland with mental health issues receive a poorer standard of care than those in cities and towns. The... Read more

Death of mental health patient blamed on health trust by father

28th August 2015

By Gary Adair The father of Patrick Campbell, aged 26, who died by suicide after escaping from the mental health unit at Ulster Hospital says the health trust is to blame... Read more

Holding people with mental health issues in police cells must stop

6th February 2015

By Gary Adair MPs have called for an end to using police cells to hold people with mental health illnesses when no hospital space is available. The Mental Health Act 1983 provides... Read more

Independent commission to look at concerns on Mental Health care

4th February 2015

By Gary Adair The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland has welcomed the announcement of an investigation into concerns about the provision of mental health care across the UK. An independent... Read more

Compensation for man detained over mental health concerns

22nd January 2015

By Gary Adair The need for improved awareness and treatment of people suffering from mental health issues in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK has been in the media... Read more

'Employers should help employees going through divorce'

6th November 2014

By Lenore Rice Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has said the government will "push" employers to intervene and support employees who are going through a divorce or separation. Mr Duncan Smith says... Read more

Whistleblower concerns about lack of mental health assessments

30th October 2014

By Gary Adair A former security manager at a hospital has turned whistle-blower against his employers following the death of a patient at a bus stop, and has raised concerns about... Read more

Northern Ireland marks World Mental Health Day

10th October 2014

By Gary Adair Northern Ireland today marks World Mental Health Day, along with the the rest of the UK and many other countries. The focus this year on Schizophrenia, which is estimated... Read more

Mental Health treatment and Human Rights

10th October 2014

By Gary Adair As the world today shines a spotlight on Mental Health, and in particular Schizophrenia, it is hoped that our understanding of mental health sufferers and the way in... Read more

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards cases to increase after ruling

25th March 2014

By Gary Adair A landmark Supreme Court ruling is expected to result in a large increase in Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Dols) cases, after the court overruled previous judgments and applied... Read more

Sun article on mental patients labelled irresponsible

7th October 2013

By Gary Adair A front page headline article in the Sun newspaper has been labeled as "irresponsible and wrong" by one mental health charity, and criticised by many more for it's... Read more

Edkins murder puts spotlight on mental health

2nd October 2013

By Gary Adair The killer of Christina Edkins has been detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of the school girl on the grounds of... Read more

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