Implementing the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019
This briefing outlines the legal and policy background to the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 and the Liberty Protection Safeguards.

A Westminster Hall debate on the ‘Maternal mental health’ has been scheduled for Wednesday 10 March 2021 from 2.30-4.00pm. The debate has been initiated by Sarah Olney MP.
Maternal mental health (296 KB , PDF)
Perinatal mental health services focus on the prevention, detection and management of mental health problems that occur during the perinatal period – pregnancy and the first year after birth. Specialised perinatal mental health services are provided by the NHS, whilst health visitors have a specific remit to assess maternal mental health and refer to support services. There is also a contractual requirement for GPs to offer a maternal postnatal consultation at six to eight weeks after birth which should focus on the mother’s physical and mental health.
The NHS Long Term plan (January 2019) set out ambitions to improve maternal mental health care, including a commitment for a further 24,000 women to be able to access specialist perinatal mental health care by 2023/24. It also requires that specialist care is available from preconception to 24 months after birth, which will provide an extra year of support.
Concerns have been raised about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on maternal mental health. There is evidence that new mothers have experienced poor maternal mental health during the pandemic. The majority of health visits during the first wave were carried out virtually, and there were concerns that many vulnerable new mothers and children were not identified.
Maternal mental health (296 KB , PDF)
This briefing outlines the legal and policy background to the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 and the Liberty Protection Safeguards.
On Tuesday 24 June 2025, the House of Commons will consider estimates of spending of the Department of Health and Social Care as part of the Estimates Day debate.
The Controlled Drugs (Procedure for Specification) Bill 2024-2025 had its second reading on Friday 7 March 2025 and is scheduled to begin its committee stage on Wednesday 25 June 2025. This is a private members' bill.