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B.C. Mental Health Care Lacks Patient Consent Forms
27 Jan
Summary
- Required consent forms for involuntary mental health care are missing in many B.C. cases.
- A recent audit revealed these forms are not completed in nearly half of all patient cases.
- Patient rights and civil liberties are at risk due to these documentation gaps.
The British Columbia Ombudsperson's office has released a concerning report indicating that mandatory forms authorizing involuntary mental health care were frequently not completed across health authorities. This follows up on a 2019 report highlighting insufficient patient safeguards.
A recent audit in 2024 discovered that these essential consent forms were missing in nearly half of all involuntary admissions. The Ombudsperson, Jay Chalke, emphasized that this failure to adhere to the Mental Health Act jeopardizes fundamental civil liberties when individuals are detained.
Despite efforts and progress since 2019, Chalke stated that full compliance, where every patient's liberty is taken with proper documentation, has not yet been achieved. The province is currently expanding involuntary care services, making these safeguards even more critical.
