Karen Machin's blog

Well I'm glad that ten years is over. For me it was ten years with some very varying experiences of health services. When I look back now, I wonder why on earth I didn't complain at the time about some of the incidents.

Just heard about this review which makes for some reassuring news:

Reported in various places including here

"The decision to abandon a prosecution because of the victim's mental instability involved a misapplication of the Code for Crown Prosecutors, was irrational and was a violation of the victim's rights under art 3 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms."

Its about B who had a history of psychotic illness - so the CPS decided B couldn't be put before a jury.

Just to let you know that there's a current consultation (ending March 1st 2009) on the Crown Prosecution Service's website, that wants your views.

Its about their Policy on prosecuting criminal cases involving people with mental health problems and/or learning disabilities as victims and witnesses

I've met with Jim and his colleagues again for another interesting chat about how to take things forward.

He gave me some information about lay visitors and I wonder if this is something more of us should get involved in? They're independent members of the local community who visit police stations unannounced to check on the welfare of people who are in police custody.

Apologies for not updating the blog for a while. December's never a good month for me.

Anyway New Year New Start. So hopefully we'll get back on track.