A Compulsory Treatment Order (CTO) allows for a person to be treated for their mental illness.
A Compulsory Treatment Order (CTO) allows for a person to be treated for their mental illness. The CTO will set out a number of conditions that you will need to comply with. These conditions will depend on whether you have to stay in hospital or are in the community. Your Mental Health Officer (MHO) will make an application for a CTO to the Mental Health Tribunal. The application must include two medical reports, an MHO report and a proposed Care Plan. You and your named person should be informed if an application for a CTO is to be made. The Tribunal decides whether a CTO is to be granted. You have the right to be heard by the Tribunal and your Independent Advocacy Worker will ensure that this happens. Your Independent Advocacy Worker an attend your Tribunal with you or attend on your behalf, ensuring that your views are heard and any relevant evidence is given in support of your case. A CTO can last up to six months, can be extended for a further six months and then for periods of twelve months at a time.
You can be given medical treatment while on a CTO if the Tribunal agree to it, or in an emergency. Your responsible medical officer (RMO) must follow the safeguards outlined in part 16 of the Mental Health Act when giving you treatment.
During this process, you have the right to an Independent Advocacy Worker who can help you say what you think about your treatment. Your MHO should let you know how to get help from an Independent Advocacy Worker.
If a CTO is made, you can apply to the Tribunal for it to be removed, once the order has been in force for three months. Your Independent Mental Health Advocacy Worker will ensure you have been informed of your rights to free legal mental health representation and assist you in accessing this. Your mental health solicitor will take instruction from you and will make legal representation for you at the Tribunal. Your RMO should keep the need for the order under constant review, and can revoke it, if you no longer need to be subject to the order.
Criteria for a CTO
There are five criteria that must be met in order that an application for a CTO can be made. These are:
- You have a mental disorder
- Medical treatment is available which will stop your condition getting worse or help treat some of the symptoms.
- If that medical treatment was not provided, there would be a significant risk to you, or to any other person.
- Because of your mental disorder, your ability to make decisions about medical treatment is significantly impaired.
- The use of compulsory powers is necessary.
This is only a snapshot of the services that an Independent Advocacy Worker can offer you regarding Mental Health issues. There are many other ways in which you may receive support. Independent Advocacy is a service completely independent from any other service. Our loyalty is solely to the person that we are supporting and the service is of no charge to you.
If you have an issue that you want to discuss with an Independent Advocacy Worker to see if we can be of service, please contact us.
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Mental Health Advocacy Service User“I never believed that they would listen to me or believe me, but with my Advocacy Worker there, I had a chance to speak and I felt strong that my voice was heard.”
Mental Health Service User“I nearly lost it during my DWP complaint interview, but my Advocacy Worker kept me calm and we got through it together., thank you.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“What a good job my Advocacy Worker did for me, as I could have never have gone through this support plan meeting alone.”
Mental Health Service“I was so scared to face my PIP Assessment alone, but with my Advocacy Worker there I felt supported and when I couldn’t think of the words or got confused (due to my stroke), my Advocate spoke up for me.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“When the social worker was asking questions about my past, I said just get them from my SW records. But when she said she couldn’t find them, I just freaked out. But you came along and challenged them, and I got all my records in a matter of a few weeks. Thank you so much.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“After a year of appeals and tribunals, I was finally received a back payment of almost £10,000 for my PIP and ESA. I had just given up. Now I can pay off my bills and move on. Words aren’t enough to show my thanks”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“Thank you very much for everything you are doing and have done to help me through all of this. I could not have managed without you.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“I am so glad you supported me. It was so hard to try and make SW understand what my issues were. Now, they are listening.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“I couldn’t explain how I was feeling as I was being rejected and treated unfairly. With Advocacy beside me, I was supported in my situation.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“Thanks for helping my son to have access to his children, as he could not have managed without your support.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“I could not have done this without you. I really, really, really appreciate it! I was ready for the tribunal because of your excellent work.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“Thank you very much for everything you are doing and have done to help me through all of this. I could not have managed without you.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service UserI was so pleased Advocacy arranged help with my electricity bill after I was furloughed. I really appreciate it.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“I felt despair, now I have hope for the future. Thank you.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“I don’t know where I would be now if I hadn’t picked up the phone to you…..you’ve been brilliant. I honestly don’t think I could have coped without you.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“Thank you, just sat down and studied this, took a while but worth it; you’ve done an amazing job in addressing each detail. ….. Looking at your points noted, I feel it gives even more strength to our case.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“Thank for contacting HR on my behalf, I could not have managed it myself.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service UserI don’t know what I would have done without your encouragement. I feel more empowered now that you are on my side. I think that you should be cloned and one of you put in every organisation in the Western Isles”
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