Free Members' Webinar: Mental Health Act in England and Wales: Implementation of long-awaited reforms. What do we know and how can psychiatrists prepare?
Thursday 12 February 2026
Please contact events@rcpsych.ac.uk for your CPD certificate of attendance after watching the recording below.
Overview
The new Mental Health Act received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025 after a lengthy reform process that started with the Wessely Review first announced in 2017. The reforms will be implemented in stages over the coming years, though the UK and Welsh Governments have yet to commit to a full implementation timeline.
This webinar will provide an overview of the major reforms of the Act, their potential implications for psychiatrists and patients and will look forward to what we know about the likely plans for implementation.
While the Act applies to England and Wales, health is a devolved matter in Wales. As a result, the changes are likely to be implemented differently, and these potential divergences will be covered in the webinar.
Speakers
- Professor Gareth Owen, Specialist Adviser on Mental Health and Capacity Law, Royal College of Psychiatrist
- Dr Richard Latham, Deputy Specialist Adviser on Mental Health and Capacity Law, Royal College of Psychiatrists
- Dr Mayura Deshpande, Associate Registrar for Policy Support, Royal College of Psychiatrists
- Oliver John, Head of the Dyfodol Programme, RCPsych in Wales
- Chair: Dr Abdul Raoof, Associate Dean for Advanced Learning and Conferences, Royal College of Psychiatrists