Thoroughly modern mental healthcare

UNISON is applauding the new mental health bill, agreed by the Commons yesterday after a rocky passage through parliament.

"The mental health bill will now deliver improvements in services for patients and staff which will be fit for the 21st century," said Gail Adams, UNISON head of nursing.

"However, despite getting this far, the hard work really begins now in delivering the service and ensuring that some of the fears and apprehensions that people had during the passing of the bill are not materialised."

The new law means patients with severe mental health issues can be detained if they are judged to be a threat to themselves or others.

But under a compromise proposal a new "treatability test" has been introduced to the bill to ensure that compulsory treatment is of "clear therapeutic benefit" to the patient.

Other significant improvements include the creation of a statutory advocacy service and measures to ensure that children and young people are treated in age appropriate environments.

UNISON and its partners in the Mental Health Coalition, which jointly represent some 85% of NHS mental health staff, now look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Health to ensure the new legislation and code of practice will be implemented swiftly and effectively.

Ms Adams said: "We need to continue to work in partnership to make sure that mental health services meet the needs of service users irrespective of where they are."