Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has welcomed reforms of the Mental Health Act, which will strengthen the role that the justice system plays in protecting society’s most vulnerable, and is calling for the Welsh Government to get onboard to ensure the most vulnerable in Wales are better protected.
In the House of Commons this week, James welcomed the reforms and asked how they will help protect vulnerable people across the country, including North Wales.
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland, replied:
“I am very grateful to my hon. Friend who, from his professional experience, has a great deal of expertise and knowledge in this area. Among other reforms, we want, in particular, to increase patient access to the Mental Health Tribunal, which provides vital independent scrutiny of detention orders. We wish to expand its powers so that it plays a greater safeguarding role.
“Health policy is devolved to Wales, so it will be for the Welsh Government to decide whether they wish to join the UK Government on many of our reforms in the White Paper, and we will continue to work closely with them in order to secure that partnership.”
Speaking afterwards, James added:
“These reforms can improve the way in which the most vulnerable in society are protected and it is therefore vitally important that the Welsh Government get onboard. I was pleased to hear that the Secretary of State for Justice is committed to securing a partnership with them.”
