This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Mental Health Act implementation
19/11/2003
The implementation dates for provisions of the Mental
Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 were confirmed today, and new funding of
£15 million for mental health services inScotlandwas announced.
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm confirmed that,
following a consultation exercise earlier this year,
the Act's main provisions will become effective in
April 2005. In addition, he confirmed that:
* provisions to allow service users to appoint
Named Persons and to draw up Advance Statements will be
introduced in October 2004;
* the right of appeal for patients detained in
excessive security will be implemented in May
2006.
The Minister also announced that the additional £15
million will be made available to partner agencies, through
NHS Boards, to work together to meet Partnership Agreement
commitments for developing mental health services,
including crisis services. This means a total of
£45 million funding
- £30 million has already been allocated to
local authorities - to support planning and implementation
of the new Act.
Mr Chisholm said:
"The Royal Assent of this groundbreaking Act
represented the conclusion of one stage for renewing mental
health law inScotlandand the beginning of another. The implementation of
the new Act is about ensuring the benefits offered by the
Act are achieved in reality. A great deal of progress has
already been made both nationally and by local agencies,
and we are supporting all the agencies involved to work
together to achieve the goals of the Act.
"At the heart of the success in achieving the aims of
the new legislation will be the development of services and
support which meet the needs of those with mental health
problems in communities inScotlandin the 21st century. I am pleased to announce that
£15 million of Partnership Agreement funds will be
allocated to meeting the commitments for planning and
delivering mental health services set out in Partnership
for a Better Scotland.
"Joint Local Implementation Plans are to be prepared
by April 2004 and this new, additional money will also help
NHS Boards, local authorities and their partners in
voluntary organisations - and of course users and
carers- in the development of these. The plans will
identify those priorities for the provision of services and
set out the actions to be taken to ensure these are
delivered. It is important these joint plans reflect and
build upon the joint management and delivery approaches
which follow the principles of the Joint Future
initiative."
The Executive's guide to the Act - Introduction to
the Act - and the second edition of the Reforming Mental
Health Law newsletter, are also published today.
These provide further information on provisions of the new
legislation and are intended to help all those involved in
the implementation of the Act and in the planning and use
of services.
The Minister added:
"The measures I have announced today run
alongside other developments for mental health services
already underway. For example, work is in progress to
support users and carers to ensure independent advocacy
is available as envisaged by the Act. Furthermore, the
new National Mental Health Workforce Group is working
to address issues of recruitment, retention and
training for those involved in providing care and
support to those with mental health problems.
"I am also pleased to say that the Mental Health
and Well Being Support Group will now have an enhanced
role. The Group will co-ordinate the Executive's work
on service development at national level and will
provide support to NHS Boards and their partners for
their local planning."