Commentary on Sections Section 1 – Meaning of “local mental health partners”
2.This section creates the term ‘local mental health partners’ to describe the bodies (local authorities and Local Health Boards (LHBs)) which are responsible for providing primary mental health support services. Local mental health partners are also responsible for making arrangements for the assessment of former users of secondary mental health services (under Part 3 of the Measure). The term is therefore of relevance to the whole Measure, not just Part 1.
3.Given that LHB areas are wider than local authority areas, LHBs will be local mental health partners in multiple areas, albeit with a different partner in each local authority area.