Download current legislation and policy from the links below
The Equality Bill
On Friday 24th April 2009 the Equality Bill was introduced in the House of Commons and it was published on Monday 27th April.
Please see below for relevant downloads:
Framework for a Fairer Future
The Equality Bill - Fact Sheet
The Equality Bill - Official Government Response to the Consultation
Equality Bill - regulatory Impact Assessment
The Single Equality Scheme
The Single Equality Scheme (SES) describes both the commitment and how the Department of Health (DH) intends to meet the duties placed on it by equality and human rights legislation. The SES is relevant to the functions and operations across DH and its Arms Length Bodies in so far that they refer to the policy environment. It covers the policy process within DH and employment related duties. The SES sets out the Department's public commitment and plan for action across the six equality strands of ethnicity, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation and religion or belief. The SES also incorporates the Human Rights programme. This scheme will cover the period 2009 - 2012 and is aligned with the DH Business Plan for 2009-2011.
Download a copy
The Mental Health Act 1983
The Mental Health Act 1983 makes provision for the compulsory detention and treatment in hospital of those with mental disorder.
The Code of Practice
Mental Health Act- Impact Assessment
Deprivation Of Liberty Safeguards- response to the consultation
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards- Impact Assessment
National Service Frameworks
National Service Framework for Mental Health
This National Service Framework addresses the mental health needs of working age adults up to 65. It sets out national standards; national service models; local action and national underpinning programmes for implementation; and a series of national milestones to assure progress, with performance indicators to support effective performance management. An organisational framework for providing integrated services and for commissioning services across the spectrum is also included.
National Service Framework for Older People
The National Service Framework for Older People was established to look at the problems older people face in receiving care in order to deliver higher quality services. The key standards that underpin the Framework are outlined. These include plans to eradicate age discrimination and to support person-centred care with newly integrated services. A new layer of intermediate care is being developed at home or in care settings, while general hospital care should be delivered by the appropriate hospital staff. The NHS is also to take action on stroke prevention, in the promotion of health and active life and a reduction in the number of falls for older people. Integrated mental health services are to be provided for older people. The process of translating these nationally supported standards into local delivery is outlined.
Policy and Guidance
This service development guide was published in 2005 and set out the key components of a comprehensive mental health service for older people. It aims to assist health and social care commissioners and practitioners, to shape effective older people's mental health services at a local level.
Everybody`s Business Integrated Mental Health Services for Older Adults: A Service Development Guide
Working Together To Provide Age-Appropriate Environments And Services For Mental Health Patients Aged Under 18
A briefing for commissioners of Adult Mental Health Services and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services published by NMHDU June 2009