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Tribunal panels

Brent East CMHT, 13–15 Brondesbury Road, London NW6 6BX

Correspondence: E-mail: jan.wise{at}nhs.net

The College included a mail shot with the December Psychiatric Bulletin, making members aware of changes in recruitment to Mental Health Act 1983 Tribunal Panels. The College mentioned the decrease in the period of ‘consulthood’ required before an application to join would be considered. They raised the issue that there was a shortage of consultants willing to sit on tribunals, and that this was a way of addressing the issue.

Is it possible that poor pay compared to the new consultant contract (£390 for the day versus £282 for a fifth-year consultant), that the fee would be retained by the employing Trust if performed during working hours, and that a minimum commitment of 30 programmed activities (PAs) per year are significant obstacles [Terms & Conditions of Service 2003: An agreement between the British Medical Association’s CCSC and the Department of Health for Consultants in England, 2003]. A year of Monday mornings is 42 PAs (52 per year minus 10 weeks annual leave, study leave and statutory leave). Further barriers may include the minimal compensation for cancellation (£50.00 if cancelled after 15:00 the day before the Tribunal) [Part-time Medical Members of the Mental Health Review tribunal (2004) Guide for Applicants. DCA, 2004] and the limited indemnity provided [Luce Report, Department of Health, 2003].

I do not dispute that the work is stimulating, educating and fulfils an important role in social justice. I do wonder if doctors remain undervalued, and that the scandal of waiting times for Tribunals is not as important as those for surgery!

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wise, M. E. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Wise, M. E. J.