In September 2022, Judy Laing, Professor of Mental Health Law, Rights and Policy, submitted written evidence together with Dr Jeremy Dixon (University of Bath) to the Joint Committee on the Draft Mental Health Bill on some of the Bill’s legal implications, and in November 2022 was invited to give oral evidence. Professor Laing said:
“It is encouraging that the committee has urged the Government to make significant reforms to the mental health bill, which will provide further protection for patients treated under the Mental Health Act. Recommendations from the report support more measures to respect the rights and preferences of those directly affected, including additional safeguards such as Advance Choice Documents which gives patients more control over their treatment."
During her evidence Professor Laing highlighted the need to ensure that patient rights are foregrounded in the new legislation. Strengthening the safeguards and legal protections for patients, she said, can be promoted by embedding guiding principles on the face of the new Act to give them greater prominence and legal force, as per the recommendations of the Independent Review on Modernising the Mental Health Act published in December 2018.
“My evidence to the Joint Committee reinforced how important it is to include principles that focus on patient autonomy, choice and least restriction in the Act to ensure that professionals follow them when making decisions to use compulsory admission and treatment. These changes to the bill are long overdue and essential to promote dignity and respect, while also giving people greater autonomy and control over their treatment'.
From January 2021 - July 2022, Professor Laing secured a Parliamentary Academic Fellowship, working with House of Commons Library researchers on research briefings and enquiries relating to mental health law and policy, including law reform.
This work contributed to the provision of the best possible analysis for parliamentarians on reforms to the Mental Health Act, and the implications of Covid-19 for law and policy related to mental health and human rights.
Find out more:
- Watch a recording of Professor Judy Laing giving evidence to the Joint Committee on the draft Mental Health Bill on 15 November 2022.
- Read Professor Laing’s written evidence:
- Professor Laing and Dr Dixon wrote an article for The Conversation: ‘How reform to the Mental Health Act should balance people’s treatment with increased autonomy.’
- Professor Laing also gave oral evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights earlier in 2022: Watch a recording of Professor Judy Laing giving evidence to the inquiry into protecting human rights in care settings on 23 February 2022.