What plans it has to exempt mental health patients subject to medical treatment under compulsory treatment orders provided for by the Menta…

Compulsory treatment orders may be made following commencement of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act in April 2005. The majority of patients who become subject to a Compulsory Treatment Order (CTO) will be detained in hospital and will receive their medication free of charge from that hospital. The 2003 act also makes provision that a patient on a CTO may live in the community and we expect a small number of such orders to be made. We estimate that at most 150 patients may be subject to a community based CTO at any time.
There are no plans at present to exempt from prescription charges patientswho receive treatment on the basis of a compulsory treatment order whether in hospital or in the community. However, the Executive’s Partnership Agreement review of NHS prescription charges for people with chronic health conditions and young people in full-time education or training is now under way and as part of the review process, we will be consulting widely with patient, interest groups, NHS professionals and other key stakeholders. All the interests and concerns expressed, including those of patients subject to medical treatment under compulsory treatment orders, will be taken into account. The consultation phase of the review will begin in May 2005.