The Mental Health Bill has now received Royal Assent, marking the biggest change to mental health law in over 40 years. While changes like this can feel complex, at its heart the new law is about something simple and important: putting people’s rights, choices and dignity at the centre of their care.
That’s something we work towards every day at Cloverleaf Advocacy.
What does this mean for people?
One of the most significant changes is around access to advocacy. Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHAs) will be easier to access, including for people who are in hospital on a voluntary basis. An ‘opt-out’ approach means people will be offered advocacy automatically, unless they choose not to use it. This is something we’ve long supported at Cloverleaf, and it’s already happening in some of the areas where we provide services.
The new law also gives people more choice and control over their care. People will be able to create Advance Choice Documents, setting out their preferences for treatment and support. They will also be able to choose a nominated person to support them, replacing the current “nearest relative” system and giving people more say over who is involved in decisions about their care.
There are also changes aimed at creating fairer care. The criteria for detention will be tightened, and autism or a learning disability alone will no longer justify detention. We hope this leads to fewer autistic people being kept in long-stay hospital settings, and to better, more person-led support in the community. The Act also includes measures to address racial inequalities in detention.
Our role at Cloverleaf
We’re proud to have been part of sector-wide working groups that fed into these reforms. We have championed strengthening advocacy rights to advocacy and ensuring people’s voices are central to care decisions.
Although the Bill is now law, implementation will not be immediate. Changes will roll out gradually as guidance and processes are developed. We’ll keep you updated as timelines and local arrangements become clear.
Our commitment to you
As these changes roll out, we’ll continue to:
Make advocacy easy to access for people in hospital
Support people to speak up about their care and treatment
Champion equality, lived experience and person-centred mental health services
Need support?
If you or someone you support is in hospital, ask ward staff for an IMHA referral or contact Cloverleaf Advocacy directly. We’re independent, confidential, and here to help you #beheard.
Find out more about the Mental Health Bill here: Mental Health Bill receives Royal Assent, revolutionising care – GOV.UK
