Electro-Convulsive Therapy and Psychosurgery

Whether a person is a voluntary or detained patient, certain treatment can only be given in limited circumstances. Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) may be given to a patient [Mental Health Act 1993 s 22] if authorised by a psychiatrist and:

the patient gives written consent (if capable of giving effective consent)
in the case of a patient under 16 years who is incapable of giving effective consent, wih the consent of a guardian or parent of the child
with the consent of the Guardianship Board in the case of a patient 16 years or over who is incapable of giving an effective consent.

Consent is not required for urgent treatment to protect the patient or other people.

In the case of psychosurgery (which is used very rarely these days) the authorisation of two psychiatrists and the voluntary written consent of the patient is required. If the patient is incapable of giving a voluntary consent psychosurgery cannot proceed.

The Mental Health Act 1993 Regulations prescribe a range of information which must be given to the patient before she or he can be said to have given an effective consent for ECT or psychosurgery.