Parliamentary roundtable discusses transforming mental health care with a digital-first approach

Politicians, policy makers, frontline care providers, regulators, legal experts and healthcare innovators have come together through a parliamentary roundtable to discuss how technology can best be used to enhance patient care and streamline processes.

Set against the current work to reform the Mental Health Act (MHA) in England and Wales, there was a focus on how changes could best support modernisation and inclusiveness.

Organised by Curia, a not-for-profit policy institute seeking to support Parliamentarians to understand how best to implement reforms, the event was chaired by Labour MP Paulette Hamilton, who worked as an NHS nurse for 25 years, a Birmingham City councillor for 18 years and has served as a cabinet member for health and social care for seven years.

A full list of roundtable attendees can be found at the end of this article. The discussion was held under Chatham House Rule.

Setting the scene

The discussion began with an introduction to the pressing need for modernising the MHA. The government’s legislative agenda included this modernisation in July’s King’s Speech, and it had been a key focus in policy discussions – especially following the release of a 2021 whitepaper setting out MHA reform priorities, itself a build on the recommendations made by Sir Simon Wessely’s Independent Review of the Mental Health Act in 2018.

Further reading – Have a look at our summary of the King’s Speech and commitment to a Mental Health Act “it for the 21st century”.

Roundtable participants noted that while policy proposals, not all of which require legislation, had been well-documented and well-evidenced, actual implementation has often lagged. This roundtable was designed to explore how digital approaches could facilitate the translation of policy into actionable practice, focusing on mental health services that had historically been inconsistent – especially for underserved populations.
Mental health service’s digital role

A major theme that emerged throughout the conversation was the key role of digital solutions in transforming mental health services. Several participants spoke about the potential for digital platforms to enhance service integration, reduce restrictive practices like detention, and offer real-time, personalised care for individuals experiencing mental health crises.

“The Mental Health Act review wasn’t just about reforming the law; it was about restoring dignity, recognising human rights, and ensuring patient voices are respected.”

Thalamos CEO Arden Tomison shared his personal story of having people close to him experience going through a mental health crisis, which inspired the development of Thalamos, working with his cousin Ross Tomison, to bridge the gap between police and health services. In bridging this gap, the platform was designed to enable better real-time decision making for people in crisis. This enables officers to make better-informed decisions and provide less restrictive interventions, avoiding unnecessary detentions under Section 136 of the MHA.

Tomison emphasised that the current system frequently leaves police officers with no other choice than to impose high-level restrictions, such as compulsory detention, due to a lack of real-time information. Digital platforms allow for better outcomes by helping officers choose the least restrictive options.

Further reading – Discover why Thalamos believes digitisation is crucial to reduce the burden on an NHS in “critical condition”.

Another participant highlighted how these digital tools are already making a difference, citing examples from police forces and healthcare settings. The availability of real-time data has made it possible for officers to identify better, less invasive interventions during crisis situations by working with their health partners more closely, and has allowed healthcare providers to better predict and manage the support they offer. This development has led to tangible improvements in the way mental health crises are handled in London.

Addressing mental health inequities

Another critical part of the conversation focused on how digital solutions could be used to address racial disparities in the mental health system. It was noted that black individuals are disproportionately detained under the MHA and often face poorer mental health outcomes. One participant suggested that digital tools could help reduce these disparities by enabling more culturally sensitive interventions and helping service providers to recognise and correct biases.

“Digital solutions can enable us to capture information better and make sure we’re providing the right level of care.”

Further listening – Listen to Thalamos Lived Experience Advisor Steve Gilbert discuss how societal events have changed our understanding of racial inequality in mental health.

The use of AI and machine learning to detect patterns of bias in mental health services was proposed to improve outcomes for marginalised groups. The suggestion was made that digital platforms could offer patients and their families greater control over their care by allowing real-time input on care plans and legal appeals. These technologies, it was argued, could also enhance transparency and accountability in mental health care, which is particularly important in addressing the unequal treatment of black individuals and other marginalised groups.

Another participant emphasised that digital tools could help provide culturally appropriate care and facilitate behavioural interventions that address implicit biases in decision-making. The use of technology, it was argued, could improve the system’s ability to recognise structural factors that contribute to these disparities, such as overmedication and racial stereotyping in mental health care.

Responsible use of techology

While the promise of digital tools was widely acknowledged, there was also some caution expressed about the need to balance innovation with privacy. One participant raised concerns about the collection and use of data, emphasising that while digital tools could streamline services and improve coordination, they must also protect individuals’ privacy and dignity.

“It’s about ensuring we’re using digital tools to provide better outcomes for people without compromising their privacy or dignity.”

There was agreement that any implementation of digital tools must carefully balance the need for real-time information sharing with respect for patient confidentiality. The group also highlighted that digital platforms could help prevent mental health crises by enabling earlier interventions – though only if the data is used responsibly. The responsible use of data was considered key to ensuring that these tools benefit those in need without compromising their privacy.

Real-world impact

The speakers acknowledged that digital solutions are already proving effective, but their implementation is inconsistent across the country. One contributor noted that while some police forces and NHS trusts have successfully integrated these tools, others are struggling to adopt them. The group discussed the need for standardisation to ensure that best practices are shared and that all regions benefit from these innovations.

“One of the most impactful stories we have is hearing from police officers who, thanks to digital tools, can make much better decisions and have a positive impact on a person’s life.”

Further reading – Find out how the Professional Record Standards Body (PRSB) is developing national standards for Mental Health Act data.

Despite the challenges, there was optimism about the role of digital tools in improving mental health services. The participants called for ongoing collaboration between government, healthcare providers, and technology companies to ensure that digital solutions are effectively integrated into the broader mental health reform agenda. It was agreed that these innovations would need to be rolled out consistently across the country to have the intended impact.

Broader systemic issues

Beyond the role of digital solutions, the roundtable also addressed broader systemic issues in mental health care, particularly in terms of racial disparities and service gaps for young people. Several contributors pointed out that mental health services often only intervene once individuals reach a crisis point, and they discussed how digital tools could help facilitate early interventions. These tools could provide insights to guide action and could also directly provide support before a situation escalates to the point of requiring police or hospital involvement, thus reducing the overall strain on emergency services and improving patient outcomes.

“We are awash with data, but it doesn’t mean we use it, it doesn’t mean we actually understand what it’s saying.”

The need for mental health services to become more proactive and better integrated was highlighted, with digital tools playing a central role in achieving this goal. Several speakers emphasised that preventing mental health crises should be a key objective, particularly for underserved and marginalised communities that are often left behind by the current system.

Closing thoughts

The roundtable concluded with a consensus that digital solutions are not just helpful but essential to modernising mental health services in the UK. These tools have the potential to reduce unnecessary detentions, provide more individualised care, and address long-standing inequalities in the system. However, for digital tools to reach their full potential, they must be implemented consistently, used responsibly, and integrated with the broader reform efforts of the MHA.

Participants agreed that ongoing collaboration between all stakeholders is crucial to ensure that digital tools are used in a way that respects privacy, enhances care, and ultimately improves outcomes for those experiencing mental health crises. While technology holds great promise, the room agreed, it is the careful and thoughtful application of these tools that will determine their success in transforming mental health services.

Stay up to date with the latest Thalamos updates, such as our contributions to improving patient outcomes across Mental Health Act pathways.

Roundtable participants:

• Paula Sherriff, Chair, Curia
• Ben Howlett, CEO, Curia
• Ulysse Abbate, Research Assistant, Curia
• Paulette Hamilton, Member of Parliament, House of Commons
• Steve Gilbert, Lived Experience Advisor, Thalamos
• Arden Tomison, Founder and CEO, Thalamos
• Zoe Seager, Client Director, Thalamos
• Kathy Smethurst, Deputy Director for Mental Health, DHSC
• Mat Kinton, Senior Policy Advisor, Mental Health Care Quality Commission
• Meghan Sloan, Project Manager, British Transport Police
• Christopher Sutherland, Inspector – Public Protection, British Transport Police
• Brid Johnson, Chief Operating Officer, NELFT
• Jack Porter, Co-Director, NHS Innovation Accelerator
• Fatima Kamara, Senior Management Executive, NHS England
• Anthony Mysak, Senior Programme Manager – Digital Mental Health, NHS England
• Kadra Abdinasir, Associate Director of Policy, Centre for Mental Health
• Ankita Guchait, Clinical Data Analyst, Centre for Anxiety, Stress and Trauma
• Mark Ratnarajah, Managing Director, C2-Ai Limited
• Moriah Priestley, Strategic Director, Fenixrising Ltd
• Raje Ballagan-Evans, Policy and Impact Manager, Social Interest Group
• Leah Rodriguez, Podcaster, HermanasClub
• Sanya Rajpal, Co-Founder & CEO, AdagioVR