Mental health laws must be updated to reflect the increasing emphasis of care in the community, the health secretary Patricia Hewitt told MPs last night.
MPs will today discuss the mental health bill, with widespread opposition expected for the controversial community treatment orders (CTOs), dubbed 'psychiatric ASBOs'.
A cross party group of peers has challenged the government's mental health bill, with the Lords voting for a series of amendments that weaken the proposed act's power to detain people with severe personality disorders without consent.
Peers will today begin a detailed review of the mental health bill, amid warnings the legislation faces defeat unless the government backs down on certain measures.
Campaign groups have said they are "profoundly disappointed" with the details of the government's new mental health bill, published today.
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