Kathleen Lynch plans to change shock therapy rules

Minister of State Kathleen Lynch says the review aims to give a stronger voice to the individual . Photograph: Alan Betson

The controversial practice of administering electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to patients with mental health problems who refuse to consent to the treatment is to end.

The move follows a major review of mental health legislation, due to be published today by Minister of State Kathleen Lynch.

The expert group report contains 165 proposals which seek to strengthen patients rights, extend the remit of watchdog bodies and place a greater emphasis on childrens services.

Current legislation is regarded by many campaigners as outdated given the growing emphasis on care in the community and demands for greater autonomy by patient groups.

The proposals seek to move away from a paternalistic interpretation of patient rights to one where individuals have a much greater say in their own treatment. At present, the mental health Act states that ECT may be administered where a patient is unable or unwilling to give consent once it has been approved by two consultant psychiatrists.

Under the proposals, it will no longer be possible to administer ECT to a person who has capacity and does not consent to the treatment.

Ms Lynch has confirmed she intends to change legislation shortly to reflect the recommendations on ECT use.

As a result of the groups proposals, mental health services for thousands of people living in the community, residing in hostels or attending day services are likely to be the subject of mandatory State inspections for the first time.

The States mental health watchdog currently has statutory responsibility to inspect approved centres once a year. These are typically acute units of large hospitals or psychiatric hospitals.

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Kathleen Lynch plans to change shock therapy rules