The role of Patient Representative in the Mental Health Care and Treatment Act

Abstract

The Mental Health Care and Treatment Act of Newfoundland and Labrador introduced new provisions for patient rights, including access to a Patient Representative of the patient's choosing. This thesis explores the experience of one Patient Representative and the author provides an autoethnographic narrative using her experiences as a mental health nurse, manager and policy maker during the same timeframe. Themes of lack of empathy and respect for both the Patient Representative and the client as well as the need for advocacy and management accountability were identified by the Patient Representative and supported by the author through her autoethnographic narrative. Recommendations include providing a Patient Representative role that is a paid independent advocate and creating a separate provision for families/caregivers to be involved in the treatment plan. This would support caregivers in their already full roles and allow a better balancing of the patient’s right to autonomy with the duty of care.