Academics slam two-tier corporate manslaughter legislation - Food for Thought for Fiddaman

Academics slam two-tier legislation



The exclusion of sectioned patients from a new law aimed at protecting people from dangerous management practices is being condemned as "scandalous".

Patients detained under the Mental Health Act are exempt from the Corporate Manslaughter Act for up to five years, despite mental health trusts requesting an earlier implementation date.

The act, which took effect in April, makes it easier to prosecute and fine trusts and service providers for gross failings resulting in death.

There is no upper limit on the fine but it is likely to be up to 10 per cent of an organisation's annual turnover.

"This is scandalous. It creates two tiers of citizen. It's ethically objectionable"