Mental Health Bill: statement on lateness of IA submission
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published a statement on the lateness of the Impact Assessment (IA) submission for the Mental Health Bill.
The IA, which assesses the impact of the Bill on individuals, businesses and the wider economy, was due to be submitted to Parliament on 12 December 2024. However, the DHSC has now stated that it will not be submitted until 19 December 2024.
In a statement, the DHSC said: “We apologise for the delay in submitting the Impact Assessment for the Mental Health Bill. We are committed to ensuring that the Bill is properly scrutinised by Parliament and that all stakeholders have the opportunity to provide their views.
“The IA is a complex document and we have taken the time to ensure that it is as comprehensive and accurate as possible. We have also sought the views of a wide range of stakeholders, including patient groups, clinicians and academics.
“We understand that the delay in submitting the IA may cause some inconvenience, but we believe that it is important to take the time to get it right. We will continue to work closely with Parliament and stakeholders to ensure that the Bill is properly scrutinised and that all views are taken into account.”
The Mental Health Bill is a major piece of legislation that will reform the way mental health services are provided in England and Wales. The Bill includes a number of new measures, such as:
- A new legal duty on NHS England to provide a comprehensive range of mental health services
- A new Mental Health Tribunal to oversee the detention and treatment of people with mental illness
- A new right for people with mental illness to choose where they receive their treatment
The Bill has been welcomed by some mental health charities, but others have raised concerns about the potential impact of the new measures.
The delay in submitting the IA is likely to fuel these concerns. Some critics have argued that the delay is a sign that the DHSC is not fully committed to the Bill. Others have argued that the delay is a sign that the Bill is not ready to be implemented.
The DHSC has said that it remains committed to the Bill and that it will continue to work closely with Parliament and stakeholders to ensure that it is properly scrutinised. However, the delay in submitting the IA is likely to raise questions about the Bill’s future.
Mental Health Bill: statement on lateness of IA submission
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