Reforming the mental health act 10 the final report of the independent review published in december 2018 concluded that the act does not always work as well as it should for patients nor for their families and carers when the act fails people they become disempowered are excluded from. This document contains the following information reforming the mental health act part i the new legal framework this command paper was laid before parliament by a government minister by. The mental health foundations statement on the reforming the mental health act white paper 15 january 2021 the mental health act white paper is a vital update to an outdated piece of legislation that deprives the liberty of people in mental health crisis we are pleased that the white paper has taken on recommendations from the independent . The long awaited response to the wessely mental health act review published in december 2018 was released on 13th january 2021 theres much to like in it i. The government has published a white paper on reforming the mental health act 1983 promising that its proposed changes would provide patients with greater choice and autonomy in a mental health crisis the department of health and social care said the reforms building on the recommendations made by sir simon wesselys independent review of the mental health act in 2018 would also