College responds to MHA White Paper Consultation

Last week the College submitted our response to the Mental Health Act White Paper Consultation.

This drew on the expertise of our members as well as the experiences of patients and carers. Our submission is broadly supportive of the proposals, with a number of caveats, areas of concern and some objections.

Of particular note is that many of the proposals have enormous implications on workforce and funding. We have made it clear throughout that the issues the reforms aim to tackle cannot be done by legislation alone, but by limiting the need for people to be admitted in the first place and ensuring that patients receive high quality care and that they are supported to remain well once recovered.

The College has also published the results of our members’ survey on the White Paper which played a large role in shaping our response. We will continue to work with the Department for Health and Social Care to make sure any new Bill is produced and funded in a way that will allow patients to receive the best possible care.

See our page on Mental Health Act Reforms, including our submission and survey results.

Back to our April 2021 eNewsletter.