Proposed mental health measures draconian - Webb

7.46.24am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 16th Nov 2006

Commenting on the Mental Health Bill announced in the Queen's Speech, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Steve Webb MP said:

"All around the country mental health trusts are having to make cuts due to the Government's financial mismanagement of the NHS. Rather than investing in helping people with mental health problems, the Government instead proposes draconian measures to lock them up.

"By focusing on compulsion and containment, this legislation can lead to people with mental health problems being detained for reasons other than treatment. We believe that any new laws must be focused on patient autonomy and access to care, with compulsory treatment used only as a last resort.

"People with mental health problems have the same rights as any other patients to have control over their healthcare and be treated with dignity. Rather than stigmatising people with mental health problems, the Government must promote earlier community-based, non-compulsory treatment."

Commenting on the announcement that the Government will push ahead with its NHS 'modernisation programme' of the NHS, Steve Webb said:

"The Government is committing itself to ploughing ahead with a barrage of NHS reforms - with no new legislation which would require them consulting with parliament, healthcare professionals or local communities. After 11 health and social care bills since Labour came to power, what we need is a period of stability not even more chaotic reform."