Publications

ICD 11 has been introduced in Scotland as the way in which diagnoses are recorded. This advice note provides information about ICD 11.

Investigating deaths occurring during compulsory care and treatment under mental health legislation in Scotland: the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland proposals, final report to the Scottish Government.

The aim of the review was to establish whether the current arrangements for investigating the deaths of people being treated for a mental health condition or learning disability are adequate, and how well local organisations support and engage with the families and carers of people who have died.

Good practice guidance on the preparation of social circumstances reports for mental health officers and managers.

This good practice guide was previously published in 2008 before being revised and updated in 2021.

This guidance explains the provisions in the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2003 regarding appeals against excessive security, and gives the Commission’s advice on the rights of patients and responsibilities of public bodies concerning such appeals.

This summary briefly explains the provisions in the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2003 regarding appeals against excessive security, and gives an overview of the Commission’s advice on the rights of patients and responsibilities of public bodies concerning such appeals.

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.

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

We look at detentions under the Mental Health Act between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2021. We look in detail into how many detentions there were, where and when they took place, and if there are any differences between health boards and also in characteristics of people who were detained. 

A review of detentions during the pandemic and deaths of people subject to the Act (March–August 2020)

We are regularly asked about what can be done when someone subject to a CCTO is not complying with the requirements of the order, or has become unwell.

We heard of a case where an individual was detained under a short-term detention certificate which the Tribunal ruled unlawful. There were discrepancies in the times of examination and granting the certificate.

Ms X was known to have a mental illness and had a history of serious self-harm when unwell. Her relatives contacted the mental health services with serious concern about her.

A reminder that the responsible medical officer must report urgent treatment under section 243 to the Commission within seven days.

Our advice for nurses on using section 299 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

Our guidance on the changes to the Mental Health Act implemented on 30 June 2017 and how this will affect mental health professionals.

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

The following paper reflects the voice, experience and opinions that people with lived experience and carers, as individuals and as groups, provided for the Commission’s current work on supported decision making. 

This shorter, understandable guide on specified persons is for professionals, patients and carers.

This report by the Commission - produced for the Scottish Government - examines Scotland's high levels of emergency mental health detention without the consent of specialist social workers.

This document is primarily for responsible medical officers (RMOs)

Guidance on principles and best practice in implementing specified persons regulations under the Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 in relation to restrictions around patients' correspondence or use of telephones, and relating to safety and security.

We were asked how many people died while subject to compulsory treatment. here is our answer and our analysis of the causes of death.

An analysis of emergency detention certificates that were revoked by approved medical practitioners, compiled by Mira Thomas and Karthik Bommu.

A report into awareness of section 278 of the Mental Health Act, which places a duty on services to consider the effect of compulsory treatment on parental relations.

We were asked to look into cases where individuals had been detained in hospital after a failed application to the tribunal.

A report into the incidence of immediate re-detentions under short term detention certificates, particularly where a compulsory treatment order was refused by the Tribunal.

A report into the use of detention certificates for people who are already in hospital.

Monitoring report from visits to one in five people receiving short-term compulsory care and treatment in Scotland.