In 2021 to 2022, there were 53,337 new detentions under the Act, but Black British people were detained at more than four times the rate of white people. Similarly, community treatment orders (CTOs), imposing a requirement to receive supervised treatment in the community, were used for Black British people at 11 times the rate of white people.
Law Society vice president Nick Emmerson said: ‘We are monitoring the progress of the Draft Mental Health Bill and will work to ensure this vital legislation enables patients to have a greater say in their care and ensures access to justice by enabling people to challenge inappropriate treatment.’
Highlighting the importance of robust safeguards, Emmerson said people subject to a CTO should continue to receive an automatic referral to the Mental Health Tribunal if recalled to hospital and detained for treatment.
