XN000022-1988-06-22 — Page 11

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988

THUS "A PERSON WHO APPEARS TO BE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDER" SHOULD BE REPLACED BY "A PERSON WHOM HE REASONABLY BELIEVES TO BE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDER".

A COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY GIVE EFFECT TO THIS.

INTRODUCED TO

ONCE TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL, THE PERSON SHOULD RECEIVE ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGREED IN PRINCIPLE THAT THE PATIENTS SHOULD BE SEEN BY PSYCHIATRIC DOCTORS WHERE NECESSARY.

OWING TO THE SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER, SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE IN FOUR YEARS' TIME.

THE GROUP HAD URGED THE ADMINISTRATION THAT IN THE INTERIM THESE PERSONS SHOULD BE SEEN BY DOCTORS WITH AT LEAST THREE YEARS' EXPERIENCE.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ALSO AGREED THAT PATIENTS WOULD BE INFORMED OF THEIR RIGHTS TO BE EXAMINED BY A DOCTOR OF THEIR OWN CHOICE.

OF

THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED THAT APPLICATIONS FOR THE DETENTION PATIENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO A DISTRICT JUDGE, MAGISTRATE OR JUSTICE OF THE PEACE,

BUT THE AD HỌC GROUP FELT THAT A MAGISTRATE OR JUDGE WOULD BE BETTER QUALIFIED TO AUTHORISE THE DETENTION, PARTICULARLY WHERE A HEARING WAS INVOLVED.

AN AMENDMENT WAS THUS MOVED AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE то DELETE THE REFERENCE TO A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE UNDER THESE PROVISIONS.

PERSONAL LIBERTIES MORE PROPERLY SAFEGUARDED

THE

BETTER THEIR

MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 PROVIDES 'TREATMENT AND CARE FOR INDIVIDUAL MENTAL PATIENTS WHILE PERSONAL, LIBERTIES ARE MORE PROPERLY SAFEGUARDED, DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, DR HO SAID THE ORIGINAL MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE HAD BECOME INADEQUATE DUE TO CHANGES IN REHABILITATION CONCEPTS AND SOCIAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE MENTALLY DISORDERED.

/HE SAID