Mind comments on new Mental Capacity Act

Leading mental health charity Mind comments on the new Mental Capacity Act which comes into force today (Monday 1 October)

Mind Chief Executive Paul Farmer said:

"This Act is an important development, introducing new safeguards to protect the rights of some of the most vulnerable people in our society. It gives people with mental health problems more control over their lives, so that they can choose how they are treated if they are unable to make decisions in the future. It allows them to choose trusted loved ones to make decisions in their best interests, and empowers them to make choices from dealing with their finances to their day-to-day care. Advocacy services will give a voice to some of the most isolated people. Most importantly, it gives people the legal backing to ensure their rights are protected."

Notes to editors 

• Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. We work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. www.mind.org.uk 
• For more information, please contact the Mind press office on 020 8522 1743 / 07850 788 514 / press@mind.org.uk 
• Please note that Mind is not an acronym and should be set in title case.

For more information on the Act from Mind's policy unit, please see:
www.mind.org.uk/News+policy+and+campaigns/Policy/Mental+Capacity