The Psychiatric Patient Care Law defines the terms of reference of the Patient Rights Care Committee, and stipulates that this committee shall be concerned with caring for the rights stipulated in this law, and to carry out the following:
– Awareness campaigns regarding these rights among patients and workers.
It is also concerned with receiving complaints submitted by patients or their families and providing guidance with the necessary measures.
This committee has the right to receive grievances once morest admission decisions, compulsory treatment, and treatment orders, and to refer them to the mental health councils.
Article (38) of the Psychiatric Patient Care Law stipulates that a committee for the care of patients’ rights shall be formed in every mental health facility, by a decision of the facility’s director, as follows:
1- One of the psychiatrists in charge of the facility (chairman).
2- One of the patients’ families or a member of the NGOs concerned with patients’ rights.
3 – One of the facility’s social workers, if any.
4- A representative of the Regional Council for Mental Health.
5- A representative of the nursing staff.
The Psychiatric Patient Care Law includes penalties once morest the psychiatrist in the event that he diagnoses or treats diseases or undertakes any organic treatment, which only doctors may practice, or if he examines the patient’s body or writes any medical or medicinal prescriptions for him.