XN000022-1982-06-12 — Page 2

SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1982

GROUP TO LOOK INTO PROVISIONS FOR MENTAL AFTER-CARE

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A WORKING GROUP IS BEING ESTABLISHED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES TO EXAMINE PROVISIONS AND PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING MENTALLY-DISTURBED PERSONS WITH A DISPOSITION TO VIOLENCE.

ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

(A) TO REVIEW THE PREVALENCE OF CRIMINAL VIOLENCE AMONGST

EX-MENTAL PATIENTS, THE AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS OF EX-MENTAL PATIENTS WITH A HISTORY OF CRIMINAL VIOLENCE OR ASSESSED DISPOSITION TO VIOLENCE AND THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTARY RECORDS OF SUCH PERSONS;

(B) TO REVIEW THE PROCEDURES FOR THE AFTER-CARE OF EX-MENTAL PATIENTS INCLUDING THE ADVICE GIVEN TO FAMILIES FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION IN THE EVENT OF RELAPSE;

(C) TO REVIEW PRESENT AND PLANNED RESOURCES FOR AFTER-CARE

AND OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ASSESS THE NEED FOR ANY ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ARISING FROM (A) AND (B) ABOVE;

(D)

TO REVIEW THE PROVISIONS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE (CAP. 136) WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE DESIRABILITY OF INCLUDING PROVISIONS THERE IN TO PERMIT:

(1) THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT OF A MENTAL HOSPITAL

TO RECALL A DISCHARGED PATIENT FOR OBSERVATION OF FURTHER TREATMENT;

II) DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS TO BE REQUIRED TO

ATTEND REGULARLY AT PSYCHIATRIC OUT-PATIENT CLINICS: AND

(E) TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL

SERVICES.

THE WORKING GROUP WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND WILL BE COMPOSED OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND THREE PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE FIELD OF MENTAL HEALTH.

THE WORK ING GROUP IS EXPECTED TO HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING IN EARLY JULY.