Press Release
20th March 2001
Adults with Incapacity Act - What it Means to You
MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has welcomed the launch of a major information drive to explain exactly how the new Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act will affect the estimated 10,000 Scots unable to take decisions for themselves.
The Act, which will improve the system for safeguarding the welfare and managing the affairs of "incapable adults", will begin coming into force next month.
To set out exactly how the Act will affect incapable adults and their carers, a major publicity campaign has been launched by the Scottish Parliament.
MSP for Greenock & Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has welcomed the campaign, saying:
"The previous laws relating to incapable adults were widely recognised as unclear, outdated, inflexible, patchy, inappropriate and very unfair. Under the old system, anyone who was deemed incapable lost their basic legal and human rights. They were banned from making decisions over where to live. Banned from deciding on their own medical treatment. Even banned from applying for their own bus pass.
"The new Act, therefore, allows - subject to safeguards - other people to make decisions on behalf of these adults.
"The Act introduces many important changes. It is therefore vital that, if you care for or know an incapable adult, that you are fully aware of how these changes will affect you.
"To receive a clear, straightforward guide on how the law will change, simply call the NHS helpline free of charge on 0800 22 44 88."
ENDS
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