As reported by the BBC, campaigners have warned that proposed reforms to mental health law will not stop the unnecessary detention of disabled people
Disability rights campaigners are warning that proposed changes to mental health legislation will not go far enough to prevent the “unnecessary” detention of autistic and learning-disabled people in secure hospitals across Wales.
While health is a devolved responsibility of the Senedd, the Welsh Government is currently depending on a Westminster-led bill to drive improvements in how individuals with learning disabilities and autism are treated during mental health crises.
Protesters from Wales joined a recent demonstration at Westminster, raising concerns about significant shortcomings in UK Labour’s proposed Mental Health Bill, which they argue will fail to meaningfully reduce inappropriate hospital detentions without greater investment in community-based support.
The UK Government has defended the bill, stating it will ensure people “get the support they need in the community” and will restrict detention under the Mental Health Act to those with a co-occurring mental health disorder.
The push for reform follows a 2018 independent review, which found the existing system was “outdated” and too often used to detain disabled and autistic individuals for prolonged periods due to a lack of suitable alternatives in the community.
While the UK Government has acknowledged that the current detention figures are “unacceptable,” campaigners argue that legislative change alone is insufficient. Without a substantial increase in community support services, they say the reforms will have only a limited impact.
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