XN000022-1984-05-06 — Page 4

SUNDAY, MAY 6, 1984

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW TO DEVELOP A MORE REALISTIC MANNING RATIO, AND PRIORITY IS BEING GIVEN TO PROVIDING MORE MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE.

THE WORKING GROUP ALSO RECOMMENDED A 24-HOUR HOTLINE SERVICE TO OFFER ADVICE TO MENTAL PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY SQUAD THAT WOULD' OFFER ON-THE-SPOT ASSISTANCE IN EMERGENCIES.

THE HOTLINE SERVICE HAS NOW COME INTO OPERATION FOR A TRIAL PERIOD OF ONE YEAR AND INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF EMERGENCY SQUADS IN BRITAIN HAS BEEN OBTAINED AND IS BEING STUDIED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH THESE MEASURES, THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDERTAKING A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE IMPROVED ADMISSION PROCEDURES, GREATER POWERS TO ADMIT AND RECALL PATIENTS TO HOSPITAL, AND NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPEAL AS A SAFEGUARD AGAINST THESE GREATER POWERS.

THE DRAFT AMENDMENT BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE READY LATER THIS YEAR FOR SUBMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE WORKING GROUP HAVE ALSO RECEIVED ATTENTION.

EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO PERSUADE PATIENTS WHO ARE DISCHARGED ABSOLUTELY, AND THEIR FAMILIES, TO AGREE IN ADVANCE TO RECEIVE FOLLOW-UP TREATMENT.

A PAMPHLET DESIGNED TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN THE CARE AND UNDERSTANDING OF FORMER PATIENTS HAS BEEN EXTENSIVELY REVISED AND COPIES ARE NOW BEING GIVEN TO THE RELATIVES OF MENTAL PATIENTS AND ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION.

THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARDS DISCHARGED PATIENTS PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE IR REHABILITATION,

FOR THIS REASON, THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION IN REHABILITATION (COMPÉRE) HAS ORGANISED A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A SEMINAR ON MENTAL HEALTH FOR TEACHERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES ON TELEVISION, TO PROMOTE PUBLIC EDUCATION ON MENTAL HEALTH.

+THE THEME OF COMPERE THIS YEAR IS 'EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED". ACTIVITIES WILL PLACE SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE MENTALLY ILL AND THE MENTALLY-RETARDED, HE SAID.

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