The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on equalities and human rights
How have groups of people been affected by the virus?
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All groups have been affected by the virus in different ways. Those socially disadvantaged have been more disadvantaged than others as a whole during this crisis.
Which groups have been disproportionately affected by the virus and the response to it?
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My clients who have mental health problems have had their safeguards weakened during the pandemic. Unnecessary visitors have been banned from a lot of hospital wards including mental health officers, solicitors and advocacy workers. Many patients find it difficult to make use of these services by telephone contact. Mental health assessments have been carried out differently and people are being discharged or detained when they may not be in usual circumstances. Patients on wards are having their passes off the ward removed, some only being allowed 30 min per day or no pass at all (due to other patients on the ward showing symptoms).
Many safeguards were due to be removed if the law was enacted - this would be significant in terms of patients knowing and being able to exercise their rights.
The needs and rights of community mental health clients are also being affected. Their support services who they rely on heavily have reduced their support hours and tasks. There has been a reduction in staff and support at a time they need this most. These vulnerable people are unable to then access the help they need, and this sometimes covers their basic human needs. Psychiatric services have been changed to put resources into other areas where there is need, and this has also impacted in these clients. A lot of the centres that clients in the community rely on heavily are closed.
Many safeguards were due to be removed if the law was enacted - this would be significant in terms of patients knowing and being able to exercise their rights.
The needs and rights of community mental health clients are also being affected. Their support services who they rely on heavily have reduced their support hours and tasks. There has been a reduction in staff and support at a time they need this most. These vulnerable people are unable to then access the help they need, and this sometimes covers their basic human needs. Psychiatric services have been changed to put resources into other areas where there is need, and this has also impacted in these clients. A lot of the centres that clients in the community rely on heavily are closed.
Have there been specific equality or human rights impacts on groups of people as a response to the virus?
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Those patients on psychiatric wards have had their rights significantly impacted on. Discharges may have been held up. Advocacy and legal advice is limited. Patients have had to isolate in small rooms due to other patients on the ward showing symptoms. Patients have had their passes off the ward removed for the same reasons.
Patients have not been able to have visitors therefore losing their right to family life.
Patients have not been able to have visitors therefore losing their right to family life.
What do the Scottish Government and public authorities (e.g. local authorities, health boards etc.) need to change or improve as a matter of urgency?
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Full review of mental health emergency legislation and long and short term impact on service users.
Service user input into this review is vital.
Imaginative ways to meet clients needs should be considered and developed.
Service user input into this review is vital.
Imaginative ways to meet clients needs should be considered and developed.
What do the Scottish Government and public authorities need to change or improve in the medium to long term?
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Review of the proportionality of the restrictions and consideration to imaginative ways to ensure mental health service users are safeguarded in any future similar situations (rather than removing a lot of the safe guards that have taken years to be put in place and are vital to patients recovery and self empowerment).