Reforming the Mental Health Act

Today, the Committee's Report on the Draft Mental Health Bill has been published - this is a once in a generation opportunity to improve the rights of patients experiencing a mental health crisis and to tackle the health inequalities enshrined in current legislation.

Over the last six months, I've been proud to work with my committee colleagues, listening to patient voices and evidence from experts.

We heard heartbreaking accounts from patients. Above all else, the legislation has to protect them and ensure they receiving appropriate care. 

For years, the Government kicked updating this legislation into the long grass, and now, the current draft bill still does not go far enough to tackle the racial disparity of those detained under the Mental Health Act. 

Patient voices must be at the heart of this legislation.

Read the full report here: 
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt5803/jtselect/jtmentalhealth/696/report.html