Grilling for Health Ministry officials over ECT

Health Ministry officials have been grilled on consent discrepancies in the administration of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT).

The therapy has been the focus of a full review after a petition to the Health Select Committee.

Officials were quizzed on data showing 59 per cent of cases in Counties-Manukau and 40 per cent in Waitemata are given without consent.

Deputy director of mental health Jeremy Skipworth says even if consent is given, some DHBs do not record it if the patient is considered under the Mental Health Act.

He says others may not be capable of giving consent but are not necessarily vigorously opposing treatment.

The Health Select Committee has been told electric shock therapy is used on pregnant women.

Green MP Sue Kedgley was surprised when told electro-convulsive therapy can be used on expectant mothers with depression.

Jeremy Skipworth says there are strict guidelines, particularly around its use in the first trimester.

He says the alternative is medication, which can be very harmful.

But Dr Skipworth conceded there is no obligation to monitor the impact of ECT on the child after birth.

- NEWSTALK ZB