The proposed Mental Health (Wales) Measure seeks to enact a number of important changes to the current arrangements for assessment and treatment of people with mental health problems.  It deals with improving access to mental health services and the care and treatment of individuals who are, or may be experiencing mental health problems in Wales.

The main features of the proposed Measure are to:

• Provide assessment of a person’s mental health and, where appropriate, treatment, within primary care services through the establishment of local primary mental health support services which will be delivered by local partnerships between Health Boards and Local Authorities;
• Ensure that care is coordinated and that written care and treatment plans are provided for all individuals receiving care and treatment within secondary (or specialist) mental health services;
• Enable previous service users to refer themselves back directly  to secondary services if they believe their mental health is deteriorating;
• Extend the group of ‘qualifying patients’ under the Mental Health Act 1983 entitled to receive support from an Independent Mental Health Advocate, so that patients subject to the formal powers of that Act are able to receive advocacy support if requested; and,
• Enable all patients receiving care and treatment for mental health problems in hospital to have access to independent specialist mental health Advocacy.

Mrs Hart said:

“I believe that this Measure will help to further improve the care and support offered to people living with mental health problems.

“It will help to focus the planning and delivery of care on the individual by ensuring that health and social service providers co-ordinate care and treatment at both an organisational and individual level.

“Expanding the provision of independent mental health advocacy service is also a significant part of the proposed Measure.  In doing so we recognise the important role that advocacy can play in assisting sometimes vulnerable patients to make informed decisions about their care and treatment and to support them in getting their voices heard.”

The report of the All-Wales Mental Health Promotion Network published last week highlighted the importance of mental health promotion and early intervention for those experiencing mental health problems.  The Measure recognises this and includes policy intentions which seek to provide early intervention for individuals, as well as supporting the coordination and integration of health and social care services.

The proposed Measure does not deal with compulsory admission and treatment, and cannot be used to require a person to receive assessment or treatment who does not wish to do so – these remain matters for the Mental Health Act 1983.

The proposed Mental Health (Wales) Measure follows the Queen giving Royal Approval in February to Jonathan Morgan AM’s Mental Health Legislative Competence Order, which received both Welsh Assembly Government and cross-party support during its passage.

http://wales.gov.uk/news/topic/health/2010/100323mentalhealth/?lang=en