A survivor who estimated that they had had at least 150 E.C.T. treatments. They reported short-term memory loss, especially for the first 6-7 days after treatment, but that this improves over time. They wrote that "I think it's a small obstacle, compared with not having my sanity . . . If they banned E.C.T. I'd be terrified for the rest of my life."

A son whose mother had had five or six E.C.T. treatments about ten years before while in her eighties for post-influenzal depression, and then again after two and four years. He said that, after each course of treatment, she was "right as rain". His mother was now in good health, very sprightly for her age and with a good memory.

A survivor who had E.C.T. nine years before after a nervous breakdown. This had consisted of only one treatment, due to her husband stopping further treatment, as she had had a fit while going for the second. She now had permanent epilepsy, even though there were no family history of this. She believed that the epilepsy was caused by the E.C.T.

A survivor who had had course of seven E.C.T. treatments. She complained of having vivid and alarming dreams since E.C.T., a poor memory, difficulty in thinking, and problems with both sleeping and cooking.

4.4 The E.C.T. Workshop.

The workshop was held on Wednesday 22 October, 1997, at the Banqueting Suite at Buile Hill Park in Salford. This is a central venue often used for meetings of mental health survivors, which is well away from any hospitals and mental health facilities.

A full lunch was provided at the workshop. Travel expenses reimbursed to all those who wished to claim. Funding for the event was shared between the Mental Health Services of Salford N.H.S. Trust, Salford C.H.C. and Survivors in Salford. Information stalls about Salford C.H.C. and E.C.T. Anonymous were also on show throughout the day.

The workshop attracted 33 participants. It was jointly chaired by Ken Stokes, Vice-Chairperson of Salford Community Health Council and a member of the Project Team, and by Pat Garrett, the Chair of Survivors in Salford. The morning session was for users, survivors, relatives and carers only. This was to allow them to express their views freely and without any fear or pressure of doing this with health professionals present.

4.4.1 The E.C.T. Workshop - Morning Session.

Ken and Pat welcomed everyone to the event, explained the role of both organisations and the purpose of the event, and stressed the need for everyone to listen to each others' views and respect each other's confidentiality.

Chris Dabbs, the Chief Officer of Salford C.H.C., then gave a brief presentation on the aims and objectives of the Project and the issues that had been highlighted to date. He was followed by Pat Butterfield and Andrew Bithell from E.C.T. Anonymous, a national support and pressure group for all E.C.T. survivors and their helpers. They gave their own views on E.C.T. and its use in the United Kingdom. The audience then asked a range of questions about E.C.T. and the Project.

Four discussion groups were then formed. Facilitation and the taking of notes were undertaken by a Member and officers of the C.H.C., members of Survivors in Salford and members of E.C.T. Anonymous. Each group was given a "prompt sheet" - a list of the issues thrown up by the Project Team's work to date - to help and inform their discussions.

Each group was asked to identify three issues that they wished to highlight to the representatives of the Mental Health Services of Salford N.H.S. Trust during the afternoon session. These were:

Change the law to give all patients a right to choose or refuse E.C.T.

All patients should have access to an advocate when offered E.C.T. and during a course of E.C.T.

All alternatives, especially talking treatments, should be offered before E.C.T. is considered.

Better long-term monitoring of patients after E.C.T. and long-term research into its effectiveness and side effects.

Concerns about E.C.T. particularly being given to older people and women - was there discrimination involved?

Health professionals to listen to patients and survivors more, both as individuals and as groups.

Better and more information for patients and relatives about E.C.T., with the maximum possible time being given to consider it before making a decision about whether to have E.C.T. This information should include views from psychiatrists and survivors, giving views both supporting and opposing E.C.T.

Greater distinction between physical and mental illness - some people reported being given E.C.T. for conditions that were physical and not mental.

To use only the most recent, up-to-date equipment for E.C.T., with this being tested and maintained on a frequent and regular basis.

A vegetarian lunch was served. During the lunch interval, survivors' poetry was performed by Survivors' Poetry Manchester.

4.4.2 The E.C.T. Workshop - Afternoon Session.

Dr. Steve Colgan and Ms. Avril Harding from the Mental Health Services of Salford N.H.S. Trust arrived at the start of the afternoon session. Chris Dabbs from the C.H.C. then presented the main issues highlighted by the discussion groups.

The question and answer session elicited the following responses from Dr. Colgan and Ms. Harding:

Most patients who are given E.C.T. without their consent are actually not able to give or withhold their consent.