the Department of Health and Social Care
Central Government
Action Planned
• The Department of Health and Social Care stated it is committed to improving the implementation of requirements under section 140 of the Mental Health Act. • The Department of Health and Social Care is preparing a report to support Clinical Commissioning Groups and local authorities in making these improvements. (AI summary)
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Dear Mrs Hocking As Minister with portfolio responsibility for mental health and patient safety, I am writing in relation to your Prevention of Future Deaths report issued on 28 December 2018 following the inquest into the death of David Stacey. The Department has no record of receiving your report at the time it was issued. However, after officials became aware of your report in February 2020, we feel it is appropriate to provide a response. I would like to begin by conveying my deepest sympathies to Mr Stacey’s family and loved ones. I appreciate how distressing Mr Stacey’s death must be to those who knew and loved him and we must do all we can to prevent future tragedies. While I cannot comment on the specifics of this case, we expect local health and social services to always work in the best interest of their patients and in accordance with the provisions in the Mental Health Act 1983. On the use of section 140 beds, as you identify in your report, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have a duty to notify local authorities of the arrangements in place for the reception of patients in cases of special urgency. The Mental Health Act 1983: Code of Practice1, includes guidance on how the use of section 140 beds should be managed locally. The Code makes clear that local authorities, providers, NHS commissioners, police forces and ambulance services should ensure that a clear, joint policy, is in place for the safe and appropriate admission of people in the local area in cases of special urgency. This should be agreed at board level and each party should appoint a named senior lead. 1 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-practice-mental-health-act-1983
[Page 2] We are committed to improving the implementation of requirements under section 140 of the Mental Health Act and, in response to the findings in Sir Simon Wessely’s Independent Review of the Mental Health Act2, we are preparing a report to support CCGs and local authorities to make these improvements. This will be published as soon as it is possible to do so. We are also committed to ensuring that people subject to the Act receive better care and have a much greater say in that care and we will publish a White Paper setting out the Government’s response to the Independent Review. Our intention is that the White Paper will pave the way for reform to the Mental Health Act and tackle the issues addressed by Sir Simon Wessely’s Review. I hope this response is helpful. NADINE DORRIES 2 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modernising-the-mental-health-act-final-report-from-the-independent- review
[Page 2] We are committed to improving the implementation of requirements under section 140 of the Mental Health Act and, in response to the findings in Sir Simon Wessely’s Independent Review of the Mental Health Act2, we are preparing a report to support CCGs and local authorities to make these improvements. This will be published as soon as it is possible to do so. We are also committed to ensuring that people subject to the Act receive better care and have a much greater say in that care and we will publish a White Paper setting out the Government’s response to the Independent Review. Our intention is that the White Paper will pave the way for reform to the Mental Health Act and tackle the issues addressed by Sir Simon Wessely’s Review. I hope this response is helpful. NADINE DORRIES 2 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modernising-the-mental-health-act-final-report-from-the-independent- review