Leave cut for special patient

Press, 13 June 1979, Page 6

Leave cut for special patient

Sunnyside Hospital authorities will restrict leave granted to a man who was ordered to be detained as a special patient in April after killing his wife. The man had been allowed leave, with an escort, last Sunday to visit friends.

Because of the publicity given to the case, additional leave for the man might have to be reduced, said the medical superintendent of Sunnyside Hospital (Dr J. A. Begg).

“We feel that the publicity might jeopardise the acceptance by the public of such persons,” said Dr Begg.

He said that the man had made a good recovery. No complaint had been received from hospital staff or “outsiders” about his behaviour while he was outside the hospital last week-end, or about his suitability for leave.

The man had been charged with the murder of his wife in January this year and found not guilty on the ground of insanity.

Dr Begg said that the question of leave for the man would be reviewed from time to time.

“I would assure the public,” said Dr Begg, “that this man has much recovered, and that he will be given leave with an approved escort.

“This leave has been recommended by our staff, and his visits to friends will assist in his rehabilitation. “Our decision is not without precedent, and our experience in such cases has been absolutely satisfactory in the past. We have never been let down. These leaves would not be allowed if a person were seen not to be well on the day,” Dr Begg said,

“We always face a misunderstanding that mental illness is semi-permanent, and that persons must remain in hospital for a long time;" he sard. : “it, is -unfortunate that some people do not distinguish between different kinds of illness.”