THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1987

BILL TO UPDATE MENTAL HEALTH LAW PROPOSED

THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED

EXTENSIVE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS

OF

TO UPDATE THE LAW GOVERNING THE RECEPTION, DETENTION AND TREATMENT MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSONS.

THE (THURSDAY), TODAY AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS,

SECRETARY

FOR

DETAILED THE CHANGES PROPOSED IN THE MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987.

EXISTING

MENTAL HAD BECOME

MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT MANY PROVISIONS IN THE HEALTH ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 136 OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG) OUTDATED DUE TO CHANGES IN REHABILITATION CONCEPTS FOR AND THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSONS.

THE

SOCIAL

CONDITIONAL

TO

ABSENCE THE MAIN DEFECTS OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE LIE IN THE

A PATIENT OF A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT FOR A MEDICAL ASSESSMENT BEFORE

OBSERVATION; THE LACK OF IS DETAINED IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL FOR

DISORDERED PERSONS OVER PROVISION FOR GUARDIANSHIP FOR THE MENTALLY 18 YEARS OF AGE: THE LACK OF PROVISION TO PERMIT DISCHARGE OF PATIENTS WITH POWER FOR RECALL THE PATIENTS WHO FAIL TO COMPLY THE ABSENCE

FOR APPEAL OF A CHANNEL

FOR SIMILAR TO THAT CURRENTLY PROVIDED LACK OF A CLEAR LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR THE MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSONS WHO ARE IN CONTROL TO HOSPITAL, MR CHAMBERS SAID.

WITH

PROVISION

A

י

MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT WITH CONDITIONS HE IMPOSED; PATIENTS BY NON-OFFENDER OFFENDER PATIENTS; AND THE POLICE то REMOVE SUSPECTED IMMEDIATE NEED OF CARE AND

REMOVING

THE AND UPDATING THESE DEFECTS

BILL { AMENDMENT} HEALTH THE MENTAL

THE AMENDMENTS.

MAIN PROVISIONS IN

то VIEW

ORDINANCE, THE IN PROPOSES EXTENSIVE LEGISLATIVE

THE BILL

INCLUDE:

(A)

REPLACEMENT OF DEFINITION OF 'MENTALLY DISORDERED BY A DEFINITION OF MENTAL DISORDER.

PERSON'

PERSON MAY BE DEALT BY REASON OF DISORDER

OR

THE BILL, HOWEVER, PROVIDES THAT NO WITH AS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL PROMISCUITY OR OTHER IMMORAL CONDUCT, SEXUAL DEVIANCY, DEPENDENCE ON DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.

GIVEN IN IT ALSO STIPULATES THAT OF THE MEDICAL OPINIONS

BEYOND SUPPORT OF AN APPLICATION FOR COMPULSORY DETENTION

FOR GUARDIANSHIP, ONE THE INITIAL OBSERVATION PERIOD OR

EXPERIENCE IN

OF THE EXAMINING DOCTORS MUST HAVE SPECIAL THE DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT OF MENTAL DISORDER.

(B)

THE REVISION OF ADMISSION

INPUT.

PROCEDURE TO INCLUDE MEDICAL

OF DETENTION THE WRITTEN

AS A RESULT, AN APPLICATION FOR THE PURPOSE AND OBSERVATION MUST IN FUTURE BE FOUNDED ON OPINION OF A REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER WHO HAS TO BE THE NATURE SATISFIED THAT THE ADMISSION IS JUSTIFIED BY

THE AND DEGREE OF THE MENTAL DISORDER AND IS NECESSARY IN

SAFETY OK FOR THE INTERESTS OF THE PATIENT'S HEALTH OR PROTECTION OF OTHER PERSONS.

ATO VIRL

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