DRAFT SPEECH BY HON MRS ROSANNA TAM LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - 22.6.88
Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 1987
Second Reading of Bir
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MRS. TAM:
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Since the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill was gazetted just over a year ago, a Legislative Council ad hoc group was set up to examine the bill. Despite all good intentions of improving care for mental patients while protecting of the public, the bill
a is controversial. The group recognized the complex and sensitive nature of the bill from the start and, therefore, set about studying its provisions in detail under eight major topics. Between 29 July 1987 and 30 May 1988, the Group held a total of 15 meetings, including six meetings with the Administration and
During one meeting with professionals interested in the bill. the entire process, I was most impressed by the frank communication and spirit of co-operation adopted by the Administration, and it is very much due to their open and receptive attitude that we are able to come to satisfactory conclusions on many major issues.
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The first major controversial area concerns the definition of mental disorder. Whilst agreeing with the broad definition provided in the bill, the group was concerned that the inclusion of mental impairment as a state of mind which was associated with aggressive or irresponsible conduct might give rise to unnecessary misunderstanding. It was also felt that mentally handicapped persons without aggressive or irresponsible conduct should not be liable to detention in a mental hospital.
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