North Swindon MP Discusses Improvements To Mental Health Legislation With Local Residents

Justin Tomlinson MP has been meeting and speaking with local residents as part of the research published by Rethink Mental Illness on possible reforms to the Mental Health Act.

The Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) is a piece of legislation which sets out the legal framework of when a person with a mental health condition can be admitted, detained and treated in hospital for their own safety. The Government is currently consulting with stakeholders and members of the public as to what reforms need to be made to the MHA.

As part of this consultation exercise, Justin has met with local Swindon residents to discuss their own experiences with mental health; whether that be as somebody who works to help people with mental health conditions or if the person suffers/has suffered from a mental health condition or has direct experience through a family member or friend.

An independent, clinician-led, review of the Mental Health Act is currently under way and will be followed by a public consultation on potential changes to the law. If you’d like to find out more about the review of the Mental Health Act, please see https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/independent-review-of-the-mental-health-act