For convenience, the work of the outpatient centres and the Day Hospital is recorded here.
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Day Hospital
Admitted 1961 Discharged 1961 Total treated
Outpatient Clinics
HOME Kane
Tsuen Wan
Totals
TABLE 26
HONG KONG PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE
Male
Female
Toml
65
17
142
$3
53
106
69
70
148
First
Subsequent
Attendances
Afrendances
1.116
106
9,636 319
Tora!
10,752
1,222
9.955
11.177
425
291. A variety of therapeutic approaches to the treatment of psychia- tric disorders have been employed. No new drug therapy was introduced during the year but increasing emphasis is placed on drug combinations adjusted according to the stage of the illness. Psychotropic preparations, physical treatments and psychotherapy were all employed although there was considerably less use made of insulin shock therapy. While leucotomy was little used, the services of the Neurosurgical Specialist at the Queen Mary Hospital were well utilized, primarily for diagnostic investigations; once the operating theatre at the Castle Peak Hospital can be more fully used, it is probable that this work will be undertaken there. In the Day Hospital several patients were given courses of auto- genic training and this form of "fractional hypnosis' gave satisfactory results.
292. It is appropriate here to pay a special tribute to the staff of the Mental Health Service for the practical and cheerful way they have faced the problems arising during this first year's work in the new hospital. In this, they have been greatly assisted by the Architects and maintenance staff of the Public Works Department as well as the staff of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry who have done good work in developing the grounds.
Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre
293. This Centre was opened at the Castle Peak Hospital in March 1961, as a pilot venture to assess the effectiveness of a system of volun- tary treatment for drug addiction, the root causes of addiction in the voluntary group affected and the pattern of rehabilitation most suited to the social circumstances in Hong Kong. The Drug Addicts Treatment
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and Rehabilitation Ordinance. 1960 gives the necessary statutory back- ing and addicts who volunteer for treatment are required to surrender their liberty for a period of not less than 6 months.
294. There is an Addiction Clinic in the Hong Kong Psychiatric Centre where addicts desirous of treatment can register. Initially large numbers came forward to register and as the accommodation in the two wards available at the hospital was limited, it was obvious that some criteria of selection had to be imposed. Registration was started on the 1st February and by the end of the first 4 weeks, 201 persons were on the register. At the end of the year, $83 addicts were registered of whom 162 had been admitted to the Treatment Centre and 112 of these had been discharged.
295. In consultation with the Narcotics Advisory Committee certain criteria for selection for treatment were laid down. The cardinal points are a genuine desire to be rid of the habit, good prospects of re-employ- ment on discharge, an absence of any record of serious crime and free- dom from severe mental or physical disease. On registration all who come forward are documented. Their employment situation is investigated by a representative of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, a thorough physical examination including an X-ray is carried out and they are then interviewed by a psychiatrist. Thereafter, the Almoner investigates the social history and, as a rule, interviews wives or relatives. Once the casc notes are completed they are assessed by the psychiatrist in charge of the Treatment Centre and a decision taken on immediate admis- sion or otherwise. If selected for admission, notification is sent through the Secretarial for Chinese Affairs. On admission the patient is given an explanation by the Almoner of the implications of signing the admis- sion form which, once signed, gives statutory authority to detain the addict for up to six months. Thereafter discharge is at the discretion of the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, subject to any appeal to a statutory Board of Appeal. All documents concerning an addict who comes forward voluntarily are privileged and cannot be admitted as evidence in Court on a charge made under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
296. On admission, treatment is commenced by the substitution of methadone according to the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and the methadone itself is withdrawn over a period of one to two weeks. Adjunctive symptomatic treatment is also given, where necessary, to relieve distress. Many cases are physically ill and most are malnourished.
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