XN000022-1988-06-22 — Page 14

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988

"THE INPUT OF A SOCIAL WORKER WILL BE OF IMMENSE VALUE TO MAKING DECISIONS ON THE REHABILITATION AND AFTERCARE OF THE PATIENT OUTSIDE THE MENTAL HOSPITAL AND TO MINIMISING THE RATE OF RELAPSE AS A RESULT OF SOCIAL HARDSHIP AND STRESSES ASSOCIATED WITH LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.

FINALLY, DR HO POINTED OUT THAT THE ABOVE AMENDMENTS WERE GREAT IMPROVEMENTS ON THE CURRENT MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE.

HOWEVER, ITS SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION WAS CONTINGENT UPON THE SPEEDY AVAILABILITY OF TRAINED PSYCHIATRIC MANPOWER AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT FACILITIES, BOTH OF WHICH WERE VERY MUCH IN SHORT SUPPLY.

WORKING PARTY PLAN WELCOMED

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THE GOVERNMENT'S PLAN TO ESTABLISH A WORKING PARTY IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS TO LOOK INTO THE NEED AND DESIRABILITY OF A SEPARATE PIECE OF LEGISLATION FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE WAS WELCOMED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP.

SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR IP NOTED THAT THE BILL COVERED THE MENTALLY ILL IN GENERAL OUTLINE.

POINTING OUT THAT THE FINE DISTINCTION BETWEEN WHAT WAS MEANT BY MENTAL ILLNESS AND WHAT WAS MEANT BY MENTAL HANDICAP WAS ALREADY UNCLEAR TO A LOT OF LAYMEN, SHE SAID THE MINGLING OF THE TWO CONCEPTS IN ONE BILL WOULD SIMPLY LEAVE SUCH A STATE OF AFFAIRS INTACT.

THEREFORE, SHE THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS DEFINITELY AN ADVANTAGE TO SEPARATE THE TWO.

DR IP ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE INADEQUATE NUMBER OF PSYCHIATRISTS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

SHE SAID THAT AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFICIENCY, THE LEGCO AD GROUP FORMED TO STUDY THE BILL HAD TO ACCEPT RELUCTANTLY THAT INSTEAD OF TRAINED PSYCHIATRISTS, DOCTORS WITH THREE YEARS OF GENERAL EXPERIENCE WOULD BE GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY TO SEE SUSPECTED TO BE SUFFERING FROM A MENTAL DISORDER.

HOC

MEDICAL PATIENTS

AND THEY WOULD MAKE APPLICATION, IF NECESSARY, FOR DETENTION IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL FOR OBSERVATION UNDER SECTION 31 OF THE BILL.

/NOTING THAT