Welsh NHS Confederation response to the Mental Health Bill

Key points

• The Welsh NHS Confederation responded to the Health and Social Care Committee’s scrutiny of the Legislative Consent Memorandum (“the LCM”) on the Mental Health Bill (“the Bill”).

• Our Members, NHS leaders in Wales, agree with the overall policy objectives of the Bill. Members agree that the proposed Bill will modernises mental health legislation to give patients greater choice, autonomy, enhanced rights, and support; and ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect throughout their treatment.

• There is a clear need for reform of mental health legislation and the measures introduced in this Bill aims to increase patient choice and control, reduce inappropriate detention, and improve quality of care.

• However, there are opportunities to address certain challenges in the Bill such as addressing the systems needed for how alternative provisions will be staffed and developed, ensuring smooth collaboration between services across the Wales-England border and including appropriate funding is in place to support the reforms in the legislation.