Specialist to review shock therapy

The Government has agreed to a review of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), but says it is a safe and important treatment option for severely depressed people.

The Government's response to the health select committee's report on a petition against the use of ECT was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.

The petition claimed ECT was degrading and inhumane, always caused brain damage and when forced on people breached the Bill of Rights.

The Government said it agreed with the committee that an independent expert should review the use of ECT and the Mental Health Commission should look at compulsory treatment with ECT.

It said the call for mandatory ECT audits guidelines, standards and codes of ethics was unnecessary, as there were safeguards in place.

It concluded that numerous studies of ECT showed it was a safe treatment despite the anxiety it caused many.

"ECT is a safe and important treatment option for the management of severe depression. ECT by its very nature, however, arouses anxiety in patients and families as well as a high degree of interest from the public," the report said.

"Because of this high level of public interest, the Government has agreed to initiatives to give effect to most of the Health Committee recommendations."

- NZPA