Plans To Revise Mental Health Act

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31143, 20 August 1966, Page 3

Plans To Revise Mental Health Act

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 19. It is still hoped to introduce a bill this session to revise the Mental Health Act—but it is not known whether it will include specific provisions for the trans* fer of mental hospitals to hospital boards. The Minister of Health (Mr McKay) stated this in Parliament today in reply to a question asked by Mr R. L. Bailey (Opp., Heretaunga).

Mr Bailey asked whether Dr. S. L. Pugmire was correct when he stated, as reported in the “Wanganui Chronicle,” that: “Government control of mental hosnitals is to be taken over by local authorities within the next few years,” and that “The new Mental Health Bill to be introduced in Parliament soon contains provision for this change.”

“The need to revise the Mental Health Act has been acknowledged, and if practicable a Bill will be introduced this session,” Mr McKay said. “No decision has yet been taken as to whether or not it would include any specific provision for the transfer of mental hospitals to hospital boards.”

Mr W. W. Freer (Opp., Mount Albert): Can the Minister deny that this is being considered by himself and the Government? Mr McKay: It is being considered.

Mr N. J. King (Opp., Waitemata): Did not the Minister state that it was quite probable that a Mental Health Consolidation Bill would be brought down last year? Mr McKay: I did indicate

last year that such a Bill was in course of consideration. Dr. A. M. Finlay (Opp., Waitakere): Could the Minister define what he means by local authorities? Does he

mean hospital boards, municipal councils, or what? Mr McKay: I did not use the term “local authorities.” That was used by the doctor quoted in the question. Mr Bailey then asked whether Dr. Pugmire’s statement, that “the mental health service of New Zealand was too much influenced by politics at present” represented the Government’s view. “No,” said Mr McKay. “The recent and very welcome increase of public interest in mental health services should not be taken to indicate that this section of the health services is too much influenced by politics at present.” Mr B<.iley: Then am I to take it that Dr. Pugmire’s criticism is ill-founded? The Speaker (Sir Ronald Algie): The Minister has no responsibility for that. Mr McKay: I think I answered that question by saying that the doctor’s views do not represent the views of the Government.

Mr King: Would the Minister agree that the doctor’s views are those that have been expressed right through the country? Mr McKay: No, I cannot agree with that. I welcome the interest that has been taken in this subject right throughout New Zealand. Sir Walter Nash (Opp.. Hutt): What is the position with regard to politics. Is that not right? Mr McKay: This question is based on an opinion of an individual doctor, who is quite entitled to express his opinions.