Petition · past parliament · Department of Health and Social Care
Set up an independent review into electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) practice.
Closed
1,152 signatures
What the petition asks
We urgently need an independent Cumberlege-style review into the practice of ECT. ECT causes epileptic seizures, and is given to about 2,500 people a year. Significant numbers are left with irreversible memory loss and brain damage. I am a former paediatrician, unable to work since receiving ECT.
I represent a campaign group of professionals, carers, and ECT patients. There is no agreed consensus supporting its use, and some patients have been misinformed about the risks.
Monitoring for adverse effects can be ineffective, reliable information on outcomes and follow-up is limited, and some ECT clinics are unaccredited. ECT patients have been denied redress for damage, and rehabilitation for their impairments.
We need a review to hear their voices, and give them acknowledgement and justice.
Monitoring for adverse effects can be ineffective, reliable information on outcomes and follow-up is limited, and some ECT clinics are unaccredited. ECT patients have been denied redress for damage, and rehabilitation for their impairments.
We need a review to hear their voices, and give them acknowledgement and justice.
Timeline
| 24 Sep 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 24 Mar 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
1,152
Status
Closed
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
24 Sep 2020
Closed
24 Mar 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.