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mentally handicapped adults. I am pleased to say that the

Medical and Health Department has agreed to introduce a

standard form on which the guardians of mentally handicapped

persons can indicate their agreement to medical treatment,

including operations, being carried out when necessary.

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Clearly,

one of the most controversial parts of the Bill is the Section 71B which gives powers to the police to remove

mentally disturbed people to hospital for examination by a

doctor.

10. Some Members were particularly concerned that this

provision might give the police powers to enter domestic

premises to remove a suspected mental patient. I would like to

emphasise that no new powers of entry are conferred on the

police under this Bill. A police officer may only enter

premises under existing powers. The provisions in section 71B

are considered necessary to allow police officers to take

action to provide immediate care or control of a person when

necessary, either in his own interest or that of other people.

The powers under this section are strictly limited to the

transfer of a patient to an accident and emergency department

where he will receive proper medical treatment and be subject

to a professional assessment of his mental condition.

patient can be detained for this purpose for not more than 24

hours, unless further action is taken under other provisions in

the Ordinance.

The

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