This independent review of the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) was commissioned by the government in October 2017. Our terms of reference ask us to make recommendations for improvement in relation to rising detention rates, racial disparities in detention, and concerns that the act is out of step with a modern mental health system. We were asked to look at both legislation and practice, with recommendations extending to England in relation to matters that are devolved in Wales (including health), and England and Wales in relation to non-devolved matters (including justice).
This interim report summarises our work so far, and the priority issues that have emerged for further examination. We are just halfway through our work so these are early findings. We remain keen to engage with as many people as possible, and to examine all relevant evidence as we develop recommendations for our final report later this year.
Professor Sir Simon Wessely, Chair of the independent review
Steven Gilbert, Vice-Chair
Sir Mark Hedley, Vice-Chair
Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger, Vice-Chair