In November 2008 the Mental Health Act 1983 was amended by the Mental Health Act 2007. The purpose of these amendments was
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To ensure patients receive the care they need to protect them and the wider public from harm
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To support modernised services
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To strengthen patient safeguards
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To remedy Human Rights incompatibilities
The 2007 Act also introduced “deprivation of liberty safeguards” through amending the Mental Capacity Act 2005; and has extended the rights of victims by amending the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004.