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Mental health powers for assembly Mental health powers for assembly
(about 5 hours later)
The Welsh assembly is being given new powers which it is claimed will pave the way for big improvements in mental health services.The Welsh assembly is being given new powers which it is claimed will pave the way for big improvements in mental health services.
AMs will now be able to make new laws to improve the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders.AMs will now be able to make new laws to improve the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders.
It is the first Legislative Competence Order (LCO), the mechanism that allows the assembly to draw down more powers from Westminster. It is the first Legislative Competence Order (LCO) by a backbench AM.
Powers on the Welsh language and the environment will also be transferred. An LCO allows the assembly to draw down more powers from Westminster, and powers on the Welsh language and the environment will also be transferred.
Conservative AM Jonathan Morgan has fought a long campaign for the mental health powers.Conservative AM Jonathan Morgan has fought a long campaign for the mental health powers.
He wants to improve the rights of those suffering from mental problems to have legal rights to assessment and treatment.He wants to improve the rights of those suffering from mental problems to have legal rights to assessment and treatment.
These new powers will enable the Welsh Assembly Government to bring forward proposals to deliver its 'One Wales' commitments and implement its legislative programme Welsh Secretary Peter HainThese new powers will enable the Welsh Assembly Government to bring forward proposals to deliver its 'One Wales' commitments and implement its legislative programme Welsh Secretary Peter Hain
Mr Morgan said at present people with mental health disorders do not get the advice, both legal and practical, that they should, and in some cases it leads to delayed treatment which makes the disorder worse.Mr Morgan said at present people with mental health disorders do not get the advice, both legal and practical, that they should, and in some cases it leads to delayed treatment which makes the disorder worse.
He said he is looking forward to a new Welsh law being passed using the powers that will make a real difference to the lives of those who suffer from mental illness in Wales.He said he is looking forward to a new Welsh law being passed using the powers that will make a real difference to the lives of those who suffer from mental illness in Wales.
Mr Morgan said there had been all-party agreement, both at Westminster and Cardiff Bay for the new powers.Mr Morgan said there had been all-party agreement, both at Westminster and Cardiff Bay for the new powers.
He said: "I always thought it was rather bizarre that when the devolution settlement was written we were given considerable powers to affect the NHS to make huge changes for those people with physical illnesses but the body of law relating to mental illnesses stayed with Westminster."He said: "I always thought it was rather bizarre that when the devolution settlement was written we were given considerable powers to affect the NHS to make huge changes for those people with physical illnesses but the body of law relating to mental illnesses stayed with Westminster."
"So there's a lot of goodwill riding on this and I think we have to keep the momentum up now by ensuring that we reform services in a way that shows that Wales can lead the rest of the UK in providing better care for those people with a mental illness."So there's a lot of goodwill riding on this and I think we have to keep the momentum up now by ensuring that we reform services in a way that shows that Wales can lead the rest of the UK in providing better care for those people with a mental illness.
'Made in Wales''Made in Wales'
"And when you consider that one in four of the population of Wales, maybe one in three, at some point in their lives will encounter a mental illness, then that is something that should really spur politicians on into providing a better service for those people who've become mentally unwell.""And when you consider that one in four of the population of Wales, maybe one in three, at some point in their lives will encounter a mental illness, then that is something that should really spur politicians on into providing a better service for those people who've become mentally unwell."
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said the mental health LCO brought forward by a backbench AM proved the LCO system was "working well and delivering for Wales".Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said the mental health LCO brought forward by a backbench AM proved the LCO system was "working well and delivering for Wales".
"These new powers will enable the Welsh Assembly Government to bring forward proposals to deliver its 'One Wales' commitments and implement its legislative programme."These new powers will enable the Welsh Assembly Government to bring forward proposals to deliver its 'One Wales' commitments and implement its legislative programme.
"The Welsh language order is important to all people in Wales and as a strong supporter of the Welsh language I am very pleased that the assembly will now have additional powers to legislate on matters relating to the language."The Welsh language order is important to all people in Wales and as a strong supporter of the Welsh language I am very pleased that the assembly will now have additional powers to legislate on matters relating to the language.
"The environment LCO will enable the assembly to make 'made in Wales' policies to tackle some key issues relating to climate change, further illustrating the success of devolution.""The environment LCO will enable the assembly to make 'made in Wales' policies to tackle some key issues relating to climate change, further illustrating the success of devolution."