Written Question·Department of Health and Social Care·UIN 115336

Compulsorily Detained Psychiatric Patients

Tabled: 24 February 2026
Answered: 3 March 2026

Question

Sir John Hayes

ConservativeSouth Holland and The Deepings

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ensure that decisions to section individuals are based on the merits of the case in question and not on ethnicity.

Answer

Dr Zubir Ahmed
Decisions to detain patients under the Mental Health Act should not be based on ethnicity. The reforms under the Mental Health Act 2025 ensure that detention is used when absolutely necessary for patient and public safety. The planned reforms will not cha...

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