ALT We warmly welcome the publication of a government bill to modernise the Mental Health Act in England and Wales. This is long overdue. The Mental Health Act as it stands is outdated and is need of root and branch reform. We hope the bill will be a thorough update of the Act, including provision for people to make advance choice documents about how they want to be treated when they are unwell, better controls on the use of community treatment orders that are disproportionately applied to people from racialised communities, and faster access to a hospital bed for people in prison when they need urgent care. The bill is an essential step towards modernising mental health services. But it must be accompanied by investment in mental health services and buildings so that people get the care and support they need when they need it in environments that are safe and therapeutic. - Andy Bell