Mental Health Commission

Working Together for Quality Mental Health Services

Learn more about the Mental Health Commission

Rules Governing the Use of Electro-Convulsive Therapy

The Mental Health Commission published revised Rules Governing the Use of Electro-Convulsive Therapy pursuant to Section 59(2) of the Mental Health Act 2001 in October 2009. These revised Rules (Version 2) came into effect in January 2010.

The revised Rules replaced the previous version of the Rules which first came into effect in November 2006 in order to meet the requirements of the Mental Health Act, 2001. At this time, the Commission indicated its intention to keep the Rules under periodic review and to revise them as required. As a result, it commissioned an independent review of the Rules which was carried out between September and December 2008 and involved an extensive stakeholder consultation. The Rules were revised to take account of the recommendations arising from the review.

The main amendments to the Rules are indicated in the Memorandum on Key Revisions Contained in the Rules Governing the Use of Electro-Convulsive Therapy, Version 2.click here to view the memorandum

 

Rules Governing the Use of Electro-Convulsive Therapy - Version 2

Revised - Rules Governing the Use of Electro-Convulsive Therapy

 

See Consultation section to view the review report.