TNAG-1733-FCO40-2446-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 105

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is a plan to establish a working party in about three months' time to look into the need and desirability of a separate piece of legislation for the mentally handicapped. I certainly look

forward to the working party's early completion of its task.

*

the public uncily

I would lastly like to express my concern that there are an inadequate number of psychiatrists in

Legistative sector. As a result of this deficiency, the geo Ad Hoc Group (in studying+

to study this Bill, and indeed quite a number of our Honourab

"The following that, instead of Cap colleages, have to accept somewhat

is

-on:

trained psychiatrists, doctors with three years of general medical experience will be given the responsibility to see patients suspected to be suffering from mental disorder and to make application, if necessary, for detention in a mental hospital for observation under Section 31 of the Bill. The

adequate Administration has indicated that Bsychiatric backup services will be provided within a few years, to hospitals Will the Administration give an assurance as to when this could be achieved so that the work I just mentioned will be handled by

personnel trained with the necessary expertise?

Sir, I would like to close by passing a message to

the public at large. The incidence of mental illness is ever increasing. I am convinced that it is due to the mounting

7 pressures of society on the people of Hong Kong, be it

financial, academic or otherwise. It also has to do with the

changing and wrong attitudes towards the value of life. Increasingly inadequate importance is given to family love, attention unity, human relationship, and the simple and always neglected things in life that build up intimacy among people. It is important for us to stay fit not only physically, but also

mentally.

Council.

-87066

With these words, Sir, I support the Bill before

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