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type: Answer
type: WrittenAnswer
answer has question: WgsLHExG
answer has answering person: M9UpoF65
answer text: We have made no such assessment. The availability of police in local areas is a matter for the Home Department and for regional police and crime commissioners. Police powers under the Mental Health Act 1983 are limited to short term emergency sections under s135 and s136. For formal sections to hospital the police have no role, these are decisions made by Approved Mental Health Professionals on the advice of doctors. The Government has asked Professor Sir Simon Wessely to lead an Independent Review of the Mental Health Act 1983, to make recommendations on legislation and practice to improve how the Act functions in a modern mental health system. The Independent review is considering how to address delays in the system. The Independent Review will report in the autumn. It published an interim report in May, which is available at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/703919/The_independent_Mental_Health_Act_review__interim_report_01_05_2018.pdf
answer given date: 2018-07-12+01:00
answer has answering body: fpWTqVKh
written answer has answering body: fpWTqVKh