ง
?
1
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1983
(A) THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRAL
REGISTER OF THE CASE SUMMARY RECORDS OF ALL EX-MENTAL PATIENTS WITH A RECORD OF CRIMINAL VIOLENCE OR AN ASSESSED DISPOSITION TO VIOLENCE. IT EXPLAINS THAT THIS WOULD FACILITATE THE MONITORING OF AFTERCARE TREATMENT AND THE PROVISION OF PROMPT INFORMATION IN EMERGENCIES. ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN TO ESTABLISH A CONFIDENTIAL CENTRAL REGISTER WITHIN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT (PARA 6.1).
(B) THE REPORT RECOMMENDS A SYSTEM OF CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE
AND RECALL BY WHICH CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF OFFENDERS AND NON-OFFENDER PATIENTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO OBSERVE, UPON DISCHARGE, SUCH CONDITIONS AS THE MEDICAL SUPER INTENDENT OR A CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST CONSIDER NECESSARY. BREACH OF THESE CONDITIONS, WHICH WOULD BE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL RENEWAL, WOULD MAKE THE PATIENT LIABLE TO RECALL TO A MENTAL HOSPITAL (PARAS 6.5 AND 6.6).
THE
(C) DISCHARGE TO HALFWAY HOUSES FOR ALL CONDITIONALLY DISCHARGED PATIENTS IS RECOMMENDED IN THE REPORT. REPORT ENVISAGES THAT THESE HALFWAY HOUSES WOULD BE STAFFED TO MEET THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE PATIENTS AND WOULD PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT INTERMEDIATE PHASE IN THE REHABILITATION PROCESS OF THIS CATEGORY OF PATIENT. CERTAIN UNCOND ITONALLY DISCHARGED PATIENTS WOULD ALSO BE ENCOURAGED TO SPEND TIME AT A HALFWAY HOUSE PRIOR TO THEIR FULL RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY (PARA 6.8).
(D) THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SIMPLIFIED
ADMISSION PROCEDURES AND SUGGESTS THAT SECTION 31 OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC OFFICERS WITH THE POWER TO ADMIT MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSONS TO A MENTAL HOSPITAL FOR OBSERVATION WITHOUT THE SPECIFIC AGREEMENT OF THE RELATIVES (WHO WOULD, HOWEVER, BE GIVEN AN EXPLANATION OF THE REASONS FOR ANY SUCH ADMISSION). THE REPORT ALSO SUGGESTS THAT SECTION 31 SHOULD BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE THE POWER TO ADMIT A MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSON TO A MENTAL HOSPITAL FOR ONE WORKING DAY, ON THE COMPLETION OF THE APPROPRIATE APPLICATION FORM WITH A CERTIFICATE FROM THE MEDICAL OFFICER, PRIOR TO CERTIFICATION BY A JP FOR A FULL SEVEN-DAY ADMISSION (PARAS 6.26 AND 6.27).
(E) THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT A NEW APPEAL TRIBUNAL
SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO REPLACE THE PRESENT HOSPITAL ORDER APPEAL TRIBUNAL. THE NEW TRIBUNAL WOULD HAVE THE POWER TO DISCHARGE PATIENTS CONDITIONALLY OR UNCONDITIONALLY AND WOULD HEAR APPEALS AGAINST CONTINUED DETENTION, CONDITIONS OF DISCHARGE AND THEIR CONTINUATION (PARAS 6.30 AND 6.31). THIS WILL IN ADDITION SAFEGUARD THE RIGHTS OF PATIENTS.
(F) THE REPORT