The King’s Speech (07 November) has outlined the government’s legislative plans for the upcoming year.
It was confirmed that there would be no further reforms to the Mental Health Act 1983 before the next election.
This means any reforms would have to be delivered by a new government.
The conservative government were also criticised for breaking their 2019 manifesto which promised to “legislate so that patients suffering from mental health conditions, including anxiety or depression, have greater control over their treatment and receive the dignity and respect they deserve”.
Professionals from the health and social care world have been left disappointed by this news, following urgent calls for the MHA to be included in the King’s Speech.
What does this mean?
This decision also signifies the current conclusion of a six-year endeavour to revamp the Mental Health Act. This journey commenced with the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act in 2017-18, followed by the drafting of the 2022 Mental Health Bill, and subsequently, the publication of a parliamentary committee’s report on the proposed legislation in early 2023.
The primary objectives of these reforms were to diminish the usage of detention and Community Treatment Orders (CTOs), address their disproportionate impact on black individuals, and put an end to the inappropriate and often prolonged detention of autistic individuals and those with learning disabilities.
The proposed legislation aimed to:
- Tighten the criteria for detention under the Mental Health Act, requiring a significant risk of serious harm for assessment and treatment.
- Prohibit detention based solely on autism or learning disabilities.
- Replace the nearest relative with a nominated person.
- Extend the right to an independent mental health advocate.
- Strengthen criteria for community treatment orders (CTOs), emphasising the risk of serious harm and therapeutic benefit.
This move from the government has been labelled ‘a significant failure’ by the AMHP Leads Network.
Mind, the mental health charity, added: “More than 50,000 people were held under the Mental Health Act last year, so it is incomprehensible that legislation which would help people at their most unwell has been de-prioritised.”
“There could not be a worse time to abandon this bill, especially given the recent string of exposés revealing unsafe mental health care across the country.
“People with mental health problems, countless professionals and other experts poured huge amounts of time, effort and resource into reforming this legislation to make it fit for the 21st century. Their voices are being ignored.
She added: “Today is a huge blow for our community, but we will continue to fight to raise the standard of mental healthcare.”
carlette Isaac
The King’s Speech (07 November) has outlined the government’s legislative plans for the upcoming year.
It was confirmed that there would be no further reforms to the Mental Health Act 1983 before the next election.
This means any reforms would have to be delivered by a new government.
The conservative government were also criticised for breaking their 2019 manifesto which promised to “legislate so that patients suffering from mental health conditions, including anxiety or depression, have greater control over their treatment and receive the dignity and respect they deserve”.
Professionals from the health and social care world have been left disappointed by this news, following urgent calls for the MHA to be included in the King’s Speech.
What does this mean?
This decision also signifies the current conclusion of a six-year endeavour to revamp the Mental Health Act. This journey commenced with the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act in 2017-18, followed by the drafting of the 2022 Mental Health Bill, and subsequently, the publication of a parliamentary committee’s report on the proposed legislation in early 2023.
The primary objectives of these reforms were to diminish the usage of detention and Community Treatment Orders (CTOs), address their disproportionate impact on black individuals, and put an end to the inappropriate and often prolonged detention of autistic individuals and those with learning disabilities.
The proposed legislation aimed to:
- Tighten the criteria for detention under the Mental Health Act, requiring a significant risk of serious harm for assessment and treatment.
- Prohibit detention based solely on autism or learning disabilities.
- Replace the nearest relative with a nominated person.
- Extend the right to an independent mental health advocate.
- Strengthen criteria for community treatment orders (CTOs), emphasising the risk of serious harm and therapeutic benefit.
This move from the government has been labelled ‘a significant failure’ by the AMHP Leads Network.
Mind, the mental health charity, added: “More than 50,000 people were held under the Mental Health Act last year, so it is incomprehensible that legislation which would help people at their most unwell has been de-prioritised.”
“There could not be a worse time to abandon this bill, especially given the recent string of exposés revealing unsafe mental health care across the country.
“People with mental health problems, countless professionals and other experts poured huge amounts of time, effort and resource into reforming this legislation to make it fit for the 21st century. Their voices are being ignored.
She added: “Today is a huge blow for our community, but we will continue to fight to raise the standard of mental healthcare.”