The new Mental Health Bill is set for its second reading in the House of Lords today, as landmark reforms move one step closer.
The bill was introduced earlier this month and puts long-awaited mental health care reform just around the corner. Among other things, the bill aims to:
- give patients a greater say over their care;
- refocus use of the Mental Health Act; and
- refresh discharge processes.
One step closer
“We are now one step closer to bringing forward the essential reforms that will transform the care of some of our most vulnerable people, meaning patients receive the right care in the right place,” said health secretary Wes Streeting.
“Modernising the act will strengthen the decision-making processes, helping to better support people, and giving them the appropriate and compassionate care they need.”
The upcoming reforms have been long discussed in the sector – including by CEO at the Centre for Mental Health, Andy Bell, on the National Health Executive podcast.
Some of the reforms include:
- Making it a legal requirement for patients to have a care and treatment plan
- Giving patients the opportunity to outline how they would like to be cared for in the event of a mental health crisis
- Abolishing the use of police and prison cells when somebody has been detained under the act
- Limiting the length of time certain people can be detained
- Ensuring the responsible clinician gets a second opinion before discharging a patient
Generational opportunity
NHS England’s national mental health director, Claire Murdoch, described the bill as a once in a generation opportunity to ensure patients receive safe, modern and evidence-based care. The NHS Confederation’s policy director, Dr Layla McCay, meanwhile, has said this is a welcome step towards much-needed reform.
“This marks another important milestone towards the long overdue reforming and updating of the Mental Health Act to ensure people with severe mental illness are given greater control over their treatment and are not subjected to unnecessary detentions,” she said.
Mark Winstanley, CEO at Rethink Mental Illness, added: “Today marks another milestone in the journey to reform the Mental Health Act, bringing us closer to vital legislation that’s fit for the 21st century.
“After years of tireless campaigning, we’re determined that this legislation fulfils its potential. We will support efforts to ensure the Bill passes through parliament to deliver meaningful, positive change for the tens of thousands of people detained under the Mental Health Act every year.”
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