What does the King’s Speech mean for health?

Yesterday, the King formally opened parliament, using his speech to confirm some of the bills that the government will be introducing in the not-too-distant future.

Whilst many of the measures are focusing on economic growth and financial stability, some big things were announced that were health-specific.

One of the main announcements that was confirmed by the King during his speech was that the government are to reform the Mental Health Act 1983, which has been highly criticised thanks to its treatment of people with learning disabilities and autism. This reform also comes after the Labour Party’s election manifesto spoke about how the current act is discriminatory of some ethnic minorities, with them being more likely to be detained.

In response to the mental health measures that were announced, the Centre for Mental Health’s Andy Bell said:

“The Mental Health Act is out of date. It needs to be modernised so that people are treated with more dignity and respect, and state powers are used proportionately and only when necessary. We hope the bill that is delivered will be sufficiently comprehensive to update legislation that does not provide enough safeguards and that leaves people spending months in prison waiting for an urgent hospital bed.”

The reforms that are being proposed will aim to improve autonomy and rights for people, as well as improve the support that patients receive, with this bringing a focus on ‘dignity and respect throughout treatment.’

Also announced during the King’s Speech was the legislation to make changes to conversion practices. This will be done by proposing new offences to target conversion practices towards the LGBTQ+ community that aren’t included in the current legislation.

Whilst the government has changed colours, some of the measures that Rishi Sunak’s government were looking to introduce will remain. This includes the legislation that will see a ‘smoke-free generation’ created by phasing out the ability to legally buy tobacco products, which will be introduced through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Alongside the progressive increase in age at which you will legally be able to purchase tobacco products, restrictions will also be placed on vapes – as part of a move to reduce their use by children.

Commenting on the plan to reduce smoking, NHS Confederation Chief Executive Matthew Taylor said:

“The commitment to reducing rates of smoking and to eventually phase out smoking is a key goal of local health and care leaders – they have been calling for smoke-free legislation since the 2022 Khan review.”

 

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