WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
MENTAL HEALTH LAW UPDATED TO MEET CHANGING ATTITUDE
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THE MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT ) BIL.L 198T IS ΤΟ IMPROVE AND EXPAND THE PROVISIONS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE WHICH GOVERNS THE RECEPTION, DETENTION AND DISCHARGE OF MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSONS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR CHAMBERS EXPLAINED THAT MANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE HAD RECOME INADEQUATE AS A RESULT OF CHANGES IN REHABILITATION CONCEPT- AND SOCIAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE MENTALLY ILL AND
LLY HANDICAPPED.
THE
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT MENTAL HEALTH LEGISLATION RAD то STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE DUTY OF THE STATE TO TAKE ACTION IN CERTAIN CASES TO DETAIN AND TREAT MENTALLY ILL PERSONS, BOTH 1 FEIR OWN INTERESTS AND IN THOSE OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, AND ΤΗ NEED TO PROTECT THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF THOSE SUBJECT TO THESE POWERS.
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"THERE HAS BEEN AN UNFORTUNATE TENDENCY FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND MEDIA COMMENT ON THIS BILL TO CONCENTRATE ON ONE OR TWO OF ITS PROVISIONS WHICH MAY APPEAR ΤΟ INFRINGE THE CIVIL LIBERTIES OF MENTALLY DISORDERED PEOPLE, WHILE IGNORING THE MANY SAFEGUARDS WHICH ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE LEGISLATION.
HE ADDED THAT THE BILL WAS THE OUTCOME OF A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH TEGAN IN LATE 1983 FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE WORKING GROUP ON EX-MENTAL PATIENTS SUPE A HISTORY OF CRIMINAL VIOLENCE AND ASSESSED DISPOSITION TO VIOLENCR.
HE SAID THE PRINCIPAL DEFECTS OF ORDINANCE LAY IN FIVE MAIN AREAS:
THE ABSENCE OF A MANDATORY ASSESSMENT BEFORE A PATIENT HOSPITAL FOR OBSERVATION;
THE LACK OF PROVISION FOR DISORDERED ADULTS;
THE EXISTING MENTAL PEALTH
REQUIREMENT FOR A MEDICAL. WAS DETAINED IN A MENTAL
GUARDIANSHIP OF MENTALLY
THE ABSENCE OF ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE OF MENTAL PATIENTS;
1
THE ABSENCE OF A CHANNEL FOR APPEAL NON-OFFENDER PATIENTS; AND
AGA INST DETENTION BY
THE
LACK OF CLEAR LEGAL AUTHORITY MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSONS WHO WERE IN IMMEDIATE NEED CARE AND CONTROL.
ΤΟ HELP
SUSPECTED
OF
/MR CHAMBERS