The book that gives this blog its name was published today. A Tendency to Laugh and Sing collects together more than 50 of my essays, lectures and letters on mental health law and in the process, addresses some of the most contentious issues of the day. The pieces, which first appeared in publications such as The Times, the New Law Journal and the Journal of Mental Health Law, are about such things as seclusion, the Bournewood case and the reform of the Mental Health Act. Amongst many other things, they look at re-detention following discharge, the rights of incapable detained patients and the statutory immunity from suit, and one of them asks the question: what is a hospital? The book will be of great interest to anyone who is subject to or works with the Mental Health Act, and to lawyers, academics, clinicians and policy-makers. A Tendency to Laugh and Sing is available from the Northumbria Law Press for £24.99 (plus £4 postage and packing). Order your copy here.
