Hafal protests against unfair Mental Health Bill

When Hafal held its annual Recovery Convention in Llandrindod Wells last Thursday, 150 service users, carers and health professionals took part in a demonstration calling for reciprocal rights in the Mental Health Amendment Bill.

The Amendment Bill, published last Friday (17th November), included controversial clauses that would allow people with “untreatable personality disorders” to be detained even if they have not committed an offence. However, it proposed no amendments awarding patients rights to treatment.

Bill Walden-Jones, Chief Executive of Hafal, said: “The UK Government has really missed an opportunity to work with patients and balance compulsion laws with rights to early treatment. We will continue to fight for a fairer Bill that takes into account the needs of patients.”