As part of the need to deliver parity of esteem between mental and physical health services, the government has launched an independent review of the Mental Health Act to be chaired by Professor Sir Simon Wessely, past president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, who will have overall responsibility for the review and its outputs. The government has stated that they want to ensure that people with mental health problems receive the treatment and support they need when they need it, are treated with dignity, and that their liberty and autonomy is respected as far as possible.
The purpose of the review is to understand government concerns (seehttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-act-independent-review/terms-of-reference-independent-review-of-the-mental-health-act-1983) as well as any additional issues with the functioning of the act identified via consultation. The review will work with stakeholders to make recommendations to government. The recommendations will be aimed at improving the treatment and support people receive when experiencing acute mental ill-health.