Date: Wednesday 25 June
Time: 11.55am - 1.10pm

Overview

The King’s Speech 2024 included a commitment to legislate to modernise the Mental Health Act 1983.

The work was precipitated by concerns about increased rates of detention under the act and its application to autistic people and people with a learning disability. Black people are three and a half times more likely to be detained under the act than white people and over eight times more likely to be placed on a community treatment order.

The bill will bring in amendments to the act to give people who are detained greater choice and autonomy, enhanced rights and support, and ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect throughout treatment.

This session will be delivered by the current and past three Presidents of RCPsych who have all been involved in the development of the legislation. It will cover the reasons for the reforms, how they were decided on, what they will mean for psychiatrists and how we will ensure that there are sufficient staff in place to ensure safety. It will also highlight the challenges and controversies around the changes.

In this session you will:

• Understand the reasons for the forthcoming changes to the Mental Health Act, the principles behind them and how they were established. 
• Describe the changes that will be implemented and understand how they will improve patient care and what the responsibilities of psychiatrists will be.
• Understand the implication for the workforce and what is being done to address this
• Be aware of the challenges and controversies around the changes.