News Release, 20 June 2001
The Mental Health Alliance of 50 leading organisations today expressed the hope that the decision to delay the reform of the controversial Mental Health Act will be used as an opportunity to take a second look at the proposals, to ensure that they will meet the needs of all those who experience mental health problems.
However, the Alliance is now urging the government to confirm that their decision to drop the planned legislation from the Queen’s Speech does not indicate a lessening in its commitment to mental health.
The white paper on reform of the Mental Health Act was published in December last year and a Bill was expected to be tabled later this year.
Alliance chair Paul Farmer said: "We are concerned that this is being put back, but hope that this shows a government intention to look more closely at the ways in which a new Mental Health Act can be used to meet the needs of people in the 21st century.
We hope that the decision to drop plans for early legislation does not mark a falling away from the government’s commitment to make mental health one of its priorities for the next 10 years."
Mr Farmer added: "We are ready to work closely with the government to make sure that the legislation when it comes is workable and in the interests of everyone affected by mental health issues."
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