Mental Health & Custody Portfolio Lead Responds to Mental Health Act Review
On the 4th October, the government announced that there will be an independent review of the Mental Health Act, which will look at how the legislation is being used and make recommendations for improvement. In response to this, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Portfolio Lead on Mental Health and Custody, Martyn Underhill, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, made the following statement:
“The Mental Health Act as it currently stands is not-fit-for purpose: not only have we seen rising detention rates for those experiencing mental ill-health in recent years, but many of the processes relating to the Act – passed almost 35 years ago – are out-of-step with what we now understand as best practice when it comes to providing effective treatment.
“As the APCC Lead on Mental Health, I welcome the Review announced by the Prime Minister this week, and the opportunity it provides to look at ways to improve the treatment and support that people experiencing acute mental ill-health receive. Additionally, I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the review.”