REDDITCH MP Chris Bloore has welcomed the completion of the committee stage of the Mental Health Bill – a piece of legislation aimed at modernising mental health law and strengthening patient rights.
The Bill, which represents the first major reform of the Mental Health Act 1983 in over forty years, seeks to give patients greater autonomy over their care and to end the inappropriate detention of people with learning disabilities and autism.
The committee met over nine sessions throughout June to examine the Bill line by line, considering hundreds of contributions from individuals, charities, clinicians and people with lived experience.
Serving on the Bill Committee, Mr Bloore raised issues including the need to create parity between the rights of patients in England and Wales to mental health assessments and highlighted the vital role of independent mental health advocates in helping patients understand their legal rights.
He said: “This committee gave MPs from across the House a chance to scrutinise evidence from experts, organisations and constituents, and to work together to deliver meaningful change for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“I am grateful to the Minister for engaging so seriously with the issues raised and I am proud of the difference this Bill will make for people in Redditch and across the country.”
The Mental Health Bill is backed by significant new government investment in mental health services, including a 8,500 additional mental health professionals, £680million in extra funding and £26million for new crisis centres
Mr Bloore added: “We must ensure that people experiencing a mental health crisis are given the tools to understand their treatment options and their rights under the law.
“This legislation will help do just that – giving patients more power to choose their care and ensuring their families are better involved in decisions.”
