The government has moved swiftly to introduce the mental health bill announced in the Queen's Speech.

Health minister Rosie Winterton and Home Office minister Gerry Sutcliffe published the bill yesterday, highlighting its provisions to provide 'more protection for the public and patients'.

The bill will introduce a new definition of 'mental disorder', a new 'appropriate treatment test', supervised community treatment for patients discharged from compulsory treatment in hospitals, and new rights for people with serious disorders not covered by existing legislation.

It is already opposed by opposition MPs, doctors' leader and mental health groups.

Read the DoH press release here

Read the bill and supporting documents here