MPs’ motion demands more funds for mental health bill

Thirteen MPs have signed an early day motion challenging the
government’s assumption that the Mental Health (Patients in the
Community) Bill will not require extra funds. The motion, sponsored
by Conservative MP David Atkinson, said without more funds, the
bill ‘could, by di vert ing existing resources, have a damaging
effect on other patients just as severely ill’.

A second reading is provisionally sched uled in the Commons next
week. The bill proposes a supervised discharge order for vulnerable
or dangerous psychiatric patients requiring them to attend certain
places of training or residence.