§ 31. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on his Department's participation in Mental Health Week as the focus of World Mental Health Year; and if he will implement the remainder of the Mental Health Act, 1959, to mark the occasion.
§ 36. Sir H. Lucas-Toothasked the Minister of Health on what date the Mental Health Act will be brought into operation.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithAs I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Bristol, North-West (Mr. McLaren) on 14th March, the Government welcome the imaginative concept of World Mental Health Year; and my Ministry has been co-operating with those responsible for the arrangements for observing the Year in this country, including Mental Health Week.
As regards the bringing into effect of the Mental Health Act, Sections 1 and 149 have been operating since October 6th, 1959, to the extent necessary to permit informal admission to mental hospitals. I have made an order appointing July 15th, 1960, as the date of commencement of certain other Sections, the chief of which are Sections 6 to 10 which deal with local authority services.
I intend to bring all the rest of the Act into operation on 1st November, 1960, the earliest practicable date.
§ Mr. RobinsonWhile welcoming the co-operation of the Minister and his Department in World Mental Health Year, and also the fact that he is implementing further parts of the Mental Health Act during the current week, may I ask what is the delay in implementing the remainder of it. Is it not a fact that he had all the names of the mental health 'review tribunals, which I understand was the main stumbling block, as long ago as last January?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe reasons why I cannot do it before 1st November, 1960, for the residual parts of the Act are two. First, because the hospital and local authorities must be given sufficient notice to familiarise themselves with the advice in the circulars, which wiil be lengthy; second, because certain preparatory action has to be taken by the local authorities. Owing to the fact that local authorities are not very active during August and September, it has been necessary to fix the date for 1st November.
§ Sir H. Lucas-ToothWhile joining in congratulating my hon. and learned Friend and all concerned in the good progress that has been made, may I ask 968 if he can say when he expects to constitute the Mental Health Review Tribunals?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithYes, Sir. The chairmen of the fifteen regional tribunals are to be appointed with effect from 1st August. The tribunals will be in operation when the main part of the Act comes into force on 1st November, from which date applications from patients can be received.
§ Mrs. BraddockWill the Minister make certain that no patient is discharged from hospital until the local authorities have the necessary services to accept them? I am told that in some parts of the country there is already friction between the hospital authorities and the local authorities because the hospital authorities insist on discharging patients without consultation with the local authorities? In view of the very grave difficulties that can arise for individuals who have been in hospital for some time unless there are the proper facilities for the local authorities to accept them, will he make certain that the local authorities and hospital authorities know of his decision and requirements in this matter?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithIt is, of course, vitally important that there should be very close liaison between the hospital authorities and the local health authorities in regard to these matters, and I am sure that the hon. Lady's supplementary questions will serve to remind them still further of this necessity.