A bloody good point made by the member of the public on the Rethink Facebook page about how certain people may be excluded from the NHS Constitution

"
Why are Mental Health Services excluded from having the following right
in the NHS Constitution and how can this discrimination be justified?

Extract from the commentary on the NHS constitution
http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/NHSConstitution/Pages/Yourrightstochoice.aspx

"You have the right to make choices about your NHS care, and to receive
information to support these choices. The options available to you will
develop over time and depend on your individual needs."

This is a new legal right. Your right to choose will develop as choice
is extended into other areas.

Currently, you have the right to choose the organisation that provides
your NHS care when you're referred for your first outpatient appointment
with a service that's led by a consultant. There the following exceptions:

Persons excluded:

· persons detained under the Mental Health Act 1983,
· military personnel, and
· prisoners.

Services excluded:

· where speedy diagnosis and treatment is particularly important, e.g.:
-emergency attendances/admissions,
-attendances at a Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic under the two-week maximum

waiting time, and
-attendance at cancer services under the two-week maximum waiting time,
· maternity services, and
· mental health services.
"