I was extremely eager to read the Department of Health and Social Care’s White Paper for modernising the Mental Health Act. The proposal will bring mental health laws into the 21st century by reforming the 40-year old Mental Health Act – delivering on a key manifesto commitment.
In 2018, the Government asked Professor Sir Simon Wessely to review the Mental Health Act 1983 because we were concerned about rising numbers of people being detained under the Act, and because of the racial disparities in detention rates under the Act. We want to ensure our health service works for all and that we deliver parity between mental and physical health services. These reforms will rightly see people not just as patients, but as individuals, with rights, preferences, and expertise, who are able to rely on a system which supports them and only intervenes proportionately, and which has their health and wellbeing as its centre.
During the recent pandemic, we have all been faced with difficult times and I think in one way or another every individual must take note of their current mental health. The government created support bubbles, so that no individual was left suffering in silence. I would like to think this recent pandemic has helped remove the stigma of mental illness once and for all and this landmark legislation will support this notion.
The proposed reforms will provide patients with more choice and control over their treatment – ensuring it works for them. There will be more parity between mental health and physical health service – so everyone has access to the best healthcare. The government have done this by investing over £400 million to eradicate dormitories in mental health facilities to help create a modern, genuinely, therapeutic environment.
Four principles will shape the approach to reform legislation, policy and practice:
- Choice and autonomy – ensuring service users’ views and choices are respected
- Least restriction – ensuring the Act’s powers are used in the least restrictive way
- Therapeutic benefit – ensuring patients are supported to get better, so they can be discharged from the Act
The person as an individual – ensuring patients are viewed and treated as rounded individuals.
The President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Adrian James, said:
‘The Royal College of Psychiatrists welcomes the publication of the White Paper. This is a great opportunity to modernise mental health law and improve safeguards and support for people in a mental health crisis. The reform of the Mental Health Act will help ensure that patients are heard, their choices respected and that they are supported to get better in the least restrictive way’.
You can access the full White Paper and further comments here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reforming-the-mental-health-act