Tribute to leading mental health expert

Posted Thursday 4 August 2011

William Bingley, former Legal Director at Mind, has sadly passed away.

Mr Bingley was a former Chief Executive of the Mental Health Act Commission and professor of mental health law and ethics at the University of Central Lancashire. He was responsible for writing the Code of Practice for the 1983 Mental Health Act for the Department of Health.

Mind's Chief Executive Paul Farmer said:

I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of William Bingley.

As Mind's Legal Director, William was a powerful force for good, in standing up for the rights of people with mental health problems. His contribution to mental health legislation in the 1980s helped to balance the power of the state with the rights of the individual. As Chief Executive of the Mental Health Act Commission, he acted as the champion for patients who had been detained, to ensure that the legislation was used fairly.

The mental health community has lost a powerful advocate and a man of principle. Our condolences go to William's family and colleagues.

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