ACT TERMED ARCHAIC

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30145, 31 May 1963, Page 12

ACT TERMED ARCHAIC

“Time To Get Rid Of It”

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 30. The Mental Health Act, passed 50 years ago, was “an archaic legislation” as it stood and it was time to get rid of it, said the Coroner ‘Mr P. Keesing) at the Upper Hutt Coroner’s Court today. The act was referred to in the case of a man with suicidal tendencies who could not be committed to Porirua Hospital because two doctors had disagreed on his mental state.

Dr. D. T. Clouston. of Porirua Hospital, had told the Court that an application had been made to the Magistrate’s Court for a committal order for the patient. The two practitioners who interviewed the patient had disagreed, and the magistrate was compelled by law not to give the committal order. The patient was released from the hospital and later committed suicide.

The superintendent and medical officers of Porirua Hospital were not permitted to qualify for this interview to determine the patient’s mental state, said Dr. Clouston, nor was it usual for the patient’s own doctor to be called. In his experience, two doctors appointed by the court had always been called in. The legislation seemed peculiar to him. said Mr Keesing. An approach should be made to the Director of Mental Health concerning the case.

It was not for him to add a rider to his findings, as there could be aspects of the question of which he was not aware. But it did appear .hat it was time for the Mental Health Act to be revised in certain respects, he said.