New draft legislation to reform the Mental Health Act announced
The Government has pledged its commitment to bring forward a new draft bill to modernise the Mental Health Act.
The draft Mental Health Act Reform Bill was announced in the Queen’s Speech (PDF 406KB), which sets out the government’s legislative agenda for the next parliamentary year, and was read out by HRH Prince of Wales in the Lords Chamber to mark the State Opening of Parliament.
Commenting on the announcement, Marjorie Wallace, SANE founder and Chief Executive, said: “SANE welcomes the commitment to a draft bill as part of reforms to the Mental Health Act, particularly proposals for greater involvement of families and the intention to give people a stronger say in their own treatment.
“However, we urge the Government to make the major investment that is still needed in inpatient beds, community services and the mental health workforce so that people whose mental health is deteriorating can be helped before they reach crisis point and the Mental Health Act has to be used.
“Only in this way can the proposed reforms be truly achieved. The ambition of individual choice and control cannot be met while services are so impoverished and there is limited access to treatments and therapies.”
Read more about the Draft Mental Health Act Reform Bill (PDF 153KB).
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