As part of its Draft Mental Health bill published this week, the Department for Health and Social Care has announced £150 million to support NHS mental health services over the next three years.

According to the government, the draft bill includes “a range of changes to shift the balance of power from the system to the patient, putting service users at the centrof decisions about their own care”.

The Government also announced plans for funding mental health ambulances as part of its push to improve services.  £7 million of the announced £150 million in funding will be apportioned to this.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: 

“Our reforms to the outdated Mental Health Act are another important milestone in better supporting those with serious mental health issues and giving people greater control over their treatment, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are disproportionately detained under the Act.”

NHS mental health director Claire Murdoch said: 

“This is a significant and welcome milestone towards the much-needed reform of the Mental Health Act and I look forward to working with the Government on developing a plan for implementing these changes.”

Recommendations from Professor Sir Simon Wessely’s independent review of the Mental Health Act which will now be implemented to improve patient care.

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