Two treatment plans for a 17 year old with complex mental and physical health

Stephanie David recently represented Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust ("CUHFT") and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust  ("CPFT") in a joint application before Theis J seeking the authorisation of two treatment plans for a 17 year old, GW. GW sadly has a number of diagnoses including severe depressive episode and multiple sclerosis. The first plan concerned the management of the wounds arising from her self-harm and the second focussed on treatment for her multiple sclerosis. The court authorised restraint in the wound management treatment plan; and found that both plans were in GW's best interests. The case raised a complex jurisdictional issue in respect of the intersection between the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Mental Health Act 1983, section 8 of the Children Act 1989 and the inherent jurisdiction, particularly in the case of a rolling order. Stephanie was instructed by Kennedys Law.

You can read the full judgment here.