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All forms of mental disorder are embraced. Mental disorder means
mental illness, arrested or incomplete development of the mind, psychopathic
disorder and any other mental disability. Psychopathic disorder
is defined as a personality disorder which results in abnormally aggressive
or seriously irresponsible conduct on the part of the patient.
The Board of Control is dissolved, and its officials become officers of
the Ministry of Health. In each Regional Hospital Board area there is
to be a Mental Health Review Tribunal to deal with applications by
patients.
These changes will bring the management of mental disorder into
line with that of other forms of illness. The provisions come into operation
on such date as the Minister of Health may appoint. The first
Order repealed certain words of the Lunacy Act 1890 and so enables
mental hospitals to admit patients without using the procedure of the
Lunacy and Mental Treatment Acts.
In regard to compulsory admis ion, a magistrate will no longer
take part in certification. The application is made by two doctors, one
of whom must have had psychiatric experience. The criteria for admission
are that the patient's disorder renders him suitable for admission and that
it is in his interests or for the protection of others that he should be so
detained. The application is made by the next-of-kin or by a mental
welfare officer, supported by the two medical applications (one in emergency).
Compulsory admission may be for observation, valid for 28 days,
or for treatment for one year. In urgent cases emergency application
may be made for detention up to three days. No application for compulsory
admission is to be made without consultation with a near relative
if reasonably available.
Persons in Need of Care and Attention
The powers of the County Council to provide welfare services include
those under Sections 29 and 30 of the National Assistance Act. Under
Section 29, "a local authority shall have power to make arrangements
for promoting the welfare of persons to whom this section applies, i.e.
persons who are blind, deaf or dumb or other persons who are substantially
and permanently handicapped by illness, injury or congenital deformity
or such other disabilities as may be prescribed by the Minister". By
Section 30 a local authority may employ as their agent for the purposes
of that section, any voluntary organisation for the time being registered
in accordance with this Act, being an organisation having for the sole
or principal object or among its principal objects, the promotion of the
welfare of persons to whom this section applies.
The arrangements that may be made include those (a) for informing
persons to whom the arrangements relate of the available services, (b)
giving such persons instruction in their own home or elsewhere in methods
of overcoming the effects of their disabilities, (c) for providing workshops
and hostels, (d) for providing the persons with work in their own