Mental health reform protest

More patients are being treated in the community

Campaigners say more than 1000 people marched on the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday to demand changes to new mental health legislation.

Patients, carers and representatives of more than 50 voluntary and professional groups were lobbying MPs to press for changes to the new Mental Health Act.

The groups are opposed to some of the Government's plans to overhaul the law.

Mind is not alone in wanting the Government to re-think some of its plans for a new Mental Health Act.

Judi Clements, chief executive, Mind

Under the plans, more patients will be treated in the community.

Patients who are discharged from hospital will be given a compulsory care and treatment order specifying where they live and a care plan.

But those who fail to take their medication will face compulsory readmission to hospital.

Criticism

Mental health groups have criticised the new compulsory powers. They have also called for the Act to include a legal right for patients to receive care and treatment.

They have warned that failure to address these issues could drive patients away from using mental health services.

Judi Clements, chief executive of Mind, said: "Mind is not alone in wanting the Government to re-think some of its plans for a new Mental Health Act.

"Mind and the vast majority of opinion in the mental health field will be extremely disappointed to see the Government miss the best opportunity for two decades to improve mental health legislation and services.

"More than a thousand people arrived and they given their views to MPs."

Cliff Prior, chief executive of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, added: "The Government has made great strides over the last three years in developing innovative policies, but much more needs to be done.

"It must not risk throwing it all away by introducing a draconian Mental Health Act."

Janey Antoniou, a service user, called on ministers to give patients a right to treatment and said "patchy" services must be improved.

"They cannot be allowed to increase the range of compulsory powers while doing nothing to address the existing patchy nature of services."