Part 3 - Assessments of Former Users of Secondary Mental Health Services

The Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010 which was introduced by the Welsh Government in March 2010 and received Royal Approval in December 2010.

The Measure will make a number of important changes to the current legislative arrangements in respect of the assessment and treatment of people with mental health problems in Wales.

A Measure is a piece of law made by the National Assembly for Wales. It has similar effect to an Act of Parliament.

The Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010 sets out new statutory provisions in four distinct areas. 

Assessments of Former Users of Secondary Mental Health Services

The aim of this part of the Measure is to enable adults who have been discharged from secondary mental health services - but who subsequently believe their mental health is deteriorating to such a point as to require such care and treatment again - to refer themselves back to secondary services directly, without necessarily needing to first go to their general practitioner or elsewhere for a referral.

Health Boards and Local Authorities will be required to have arrangements in place to receive self-referrals of this kind, and to undertake timely assessments.

Further information on the Mental Health (Wales) Measure is available from:

Alternatively, contact WaMH in PC via email at lhills@rcgp.org.uk or on 029 2050 4516.