Chief Executive Alun Thomas has been awarded a PhD by the Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law at Swansea University, having completed his doctoral studies alongside his full-time role leading the organisation.
His PhD thesis explores how Wales can build on its ambition to be a rights - affirming nation. Much of the legislation passed by the Senedd has focused on human rights and creating a productive Wales, with the people of Wales at its heart.
The Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010 was groundbreaking legislation, setting standards for care in Wales not seen elsewhere in the UK and continuing a historic tradition of fair, needs-focused law dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries with the laws of King Hywel Dda.
The Measure, introduced in 2010, has since influenced changes to mental health legislation elsewhere in the UK. The latest reforms to the Mental Health Act 1983 now include improved access to advocacy and a right to a care and treatment plan, some 15 years after Wales first introduced these protections.
Wales has much to be proud of in the development of mental health law, but Alun believes there is still more to do.
His research identifies an opportunity to take Welsh law a step further by strengthening Part 3 of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010.
The thesis proposes a new regulation to modify the way the NHS and social services provide care for people with serious mental illness. While there is currently a duty to reassess people who have recently received specialist mental health services, there is little evidence to show this is consistently happening.
As a result, there is a risk that people entitled to reassessment may reach crisis point and require detention under the Mental Health Act before being seen. Alun argues that improving access to timely reassessment would be fairer for individuals and their families while also reducing unnecessary pressures on NHS services.
Alun has shared his proposal with Delyth Jewell MS, Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women's Health, and has drafted the proposed regulation. He looks forward to hearing her thoughts.
Alun will continue his research and recently presented at the UK Clinical Ethics Network Conference at Cardiff University on Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Care – Promise, Risk, and the Challenge of Trust. He is keen to ensure Adferiad continues to build on its research and engagement work with universities and partners across Wales.
Speaking on the PhD he said:
"I would like to thank the Adferiad Trustees and my colleagues for their support throughout my research, and I recognise that had it not been for the willingness of Adferiad’s beneficiaries to share their stories and experiences with me, I would not have has the level of understanding to complete this work.
Adferiad’s beneficiaries almost universally ask for help and support when they need it, but sadly, there continue to be situations where this support is not available or provided until they are detained under the Mental Health Act. Wales must continue to be the most forward-thinking nation for mental health legislation and policy, and to back that up with the resources needed to prevent detention, intervene earlier, and provide a whole person approach to mental health needs.
Ongoing learning and development are a key part of our approach at Adferiad, and I’m delighted to be awarded my PhD, having been involved in the development of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010 from inception. I’m sure my family are also delighted that I’ve completed the studies, as it means there are far less bundles of papers, and notebooks covering desks and tables!"
