Martin wins ministerial meeting for Green family

Published on Tue 7th Nov 2006

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood has secured a face-to-face meeting with health minister Rosie Winterton for the family of James Green. James's diagnosis with personality disorder, pleas for medical help, suicide attempts and imprisonment have attracted national attention. Now Martin and James's brother Daniel will meet with the minister and her officials on 16 January.

The timing of the meeting is critical. The revised Mental Health Bill is due to come before Parliament in February and contains provisions about the definition of mental disorder and the controversial 'treatability' requirement that appears to prevent many of those suffering from mental health problems getting the support they need.

"I'm very pleased that the minister has agreed to this meeting" said Martin. "James's case is a very important one for everyone diagnosed with severe personality disorder who has struggled to get the support they need and deserve. Daniel and I are looking for assurances that the new Bill will make life better for James and for others in the same situation, or for a promise of government amendments to the Bill to make sure that is the case."