The MP for Eastleigh Mims Davies has supported the ‘Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Bill’ in Parliament, which will better regulate the use of force in mental health units with a view to reducing the use of force altogether.
The Bill, brought forward by Steve Reed MP as a Private Member’s Bill, had the Government’s support at its Third Reading – and is now on its way to receiving Royal Assent and becoming law.
Mims said,
‘As a Mental Health champion I share my constituent’s belief that we must urgently adapt our care culture so that we can safely protect those experiencing Mental Health difficulties – and this Bill looks to do exactly that.
‘The Bill has had so much support from Eastleigh constituents, with many individuals and groups writing to me specifically about this proposed legislation, but also coming to meet me in local surgeries to discuss mental health provision more broadly.
‘Having spoken in the Chamber previously about mental health support for our young adults in a digital world, as well as for carers and post-natal communities, I’m now looking forward to the completion of the review of the Mental Health Act which is currently underway – a review that will enable us to update existing legislation so it better reflects the UK’s modern understanding of mental health issues.’
The Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Bill seeks to enforce that mental health units record all uses of force, develop written policies about the use of force, commit to reducing the use of force in all instances, record its use when it occurs, and provide patients clear information about their rights. Any eventual death must be reported to the Secretary of State, and independently reviewed.