The Mental Health Bill, first introduced into the House of Lords in November 2024, has now passed all parliamentary stages and is awaiting Royal Assent, expected early next year.
Reforming the Mental Health Act 1983 has been a long road, with various twists and turns along the way.
A review of the Mental Health Act was commissioned by Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May in 2017 and chaired by Professor Sir Simon Wessely. This led to the publication of the white paper Reforming the Mental Health Act in January 2021, followed by a public consultation and the Government’s response in August that year. A draft Bill was then published in June 2022 and scrutinised by a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament. Although the Government responded to the Committee’s recommendations in March 2024, the Bill was not introduced before the General Election. The incoming Labour Government subsequently included the Bill in its first King’s Speech in July 2024. And now, eight years after the review began, we are finally on the verge of a new era.
Once implemented, this long-awaited Bill marks the most significant reform to mental health legislation in decades, modernising the Mental Health Act to strengthen patient rights, autonomy and safeguards.
What’s next for mental health policy
The Bill is just one part of a wider transformation agenda as we highlight forthcoming changes coming down the track.
Independent Review announced on 4 December 2025
- Focus: ADHD and autism services, rising prevalence, and demand
- Led by: Professor Peter Fonagy, National Clinical Advisor on Children and Young People’s Mental Health
- Findings due: Summer 2026
New service framework for severe mental illness
- Aim: Consistent clinical standards nationwide
Early warning system
- Purpose: Identify services at risk of poor-quality care
Mental health support teams in schools and colleges with full coverage by 2029
- 8,500 extra mental health workers by end of Parliament
- Pilot 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centres
Implementing the reformed Mental Health Act
A reformed Mental Health Act will have implications for patients, services and workforce. To support this transition, we are working with NHS Confederation’s Mental Health Network and joining a webinar on 12 January 2026 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm.
The webinar will cover:
- Key timelines for implementation
- What will be included in the legislation and Code of Practice
- Other important areas of focus
- Extended Q&A session
This webinar is open to all members of NHS Confederation and NHS providers - you can register here.
We will continue to keep NHS providers and independent sector providers updated when the Bill receives Royal Assent and on the implementation agenda.
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