Joint Committee on the Draft Mental Health Bill -
This report outlines how the Joint Committee want the Government’s draft Mental Health Bill to be strengthened to address rising numbers detained under current legislation and racial inequalities. The Committee supports reform of the 1983 Mental Health Act and the intentions behind the draft Bill but says that the reform process needs to continue beyond the draft Bill in the direction of more rights-led legislation that respects patient choice. It also urges the Government to publish a comprehensive implementation and workforce plan alongside the Bill with clear actions and milestones.