Care and treatment under the Mental Health Act 1983

The provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 (for England and Wales) are under review, with a draft bill now published, paving the way for a new act. The bill proposes a much simpler three-step process to replace the current orders for detention and/or treatment, which are discussed here to familiarize nurses with what takes place now. Society has demanded in recent years that changes in society should be reflected in mental health legislation although, to date, there have been many critics of the draft bill's proposals.