Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1978-07-20, Page 9Amendments to the Mental Health Act were given Third Reading in the final hours of the last session: amend­ ments affecting civil com­ mitment, confidentiality and the role of the Public Trustee. With respect to civil commitment, the previous legislation provided that a patient could be ad­ mitted to a psychiatric facility if such hospitalization were required in the interests of his own safety or the safey of others. The word “safety” is the key. This situation has been changed under Section 2 of Bill 19, the new legislation, which states that a person can only be sent for assessment if the examining physician has reasonable cause to believe that the person (a) has threatened or attempted or is threatening or attempting to cause bodily harm to himself; (b) has behaved or is behaving violently towards another person or has caused or is causing another person to fear bodily harm from him; or (c) has shown or is showing a lack of com­ petence to care for himself, and if in addition the physician is of the opinion that the person is apparently suffering from a mental­ disorder of a nature or quality that likely will result in, (d) serious bodily harm to the person; (e) serious bodily harm to another person; or (f) imminent and serious physical impairment of the person. This amendment gave rise to considerable controversy, especially vocal being the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Doctors and the Council of Health. Liberal Health Critic, Sean- Conway (Renfrew North) introduced an amendment to this section of the legislation at the Committee stage, but withdrew this in the belief that opposition to the government’s proposed change might lead to with­ drawal of the Bill. However, Liberal Leader Stuart Smith introduced a similar amendment on Third Reading (the last day of the session). This change, advocated by the Ontario Council of Health, read “Where a physician examines a person and the physician is of the SCOTT'S LEATHER & TACK SHOP / 120 Sanders St. W. Exeter, Ont. Phone 235-0694 Complete Line of Western Saddlery Bridles, Halters, Bits, Pads, Blankets, Girths, HORSE HEALTH CENTRE -Fly Wipe, Shampoo, Absorbine Etc. -Lee Jeans & Jackets -Western Boots, Hats, Belts & Shirts -Hand Crafted Leather Goods WATCH FOR SILLING OUT SALE PRICES REDUCED 10% to 65% July 20th - July 29th 1 " (Books c.- "Everything Muff Go" Books — Gifts Cards — Etc. '/Penny Farthing 4Q7 Main St. Exeter, Ont. N0M 1 SO "Books & Things" Penelope B. Dinney Telephone 235-1731 E 9 A £ Mental opinion that the person is apparently suffering from a mental disorder of a nature or quality that requires immediate hospitalization in order to prevent (a) serious harm to the mental or physical condition of such person or (b) serious harm to the mental or physical condition of another person and such person >is not suitable for admissioh as an informal patient, the physician may make ap­ plication in the prescribed form for a psychiatric assessment of the person.” The Liberal amendment was defeated. In the previous legislation, a person found to have a disease or disability of the mind severe enough to require hospitalization, either in the interest of his or her own safety, or the safety of others, could be confined for a period of up to 30 days on the application of a single physician. The new legislation provides that when a physician completes the commitment certificate, the patient can be taken into a psychiatric facility for assessment, and can be detained there for a maximum of 120 hour§. Turtles will be highlight Bv JOY SCHEIFELE Turtles beware! Turtle racing will be one of the highlights again in the Ailsa Craig Gala Days scheduled for this coming week-end! Plans call for a Gala beginning with a parade at 11:30 a.m. Saturday begin­ ning at Craigholme Nursing Home and ending at the ball park. 1 p.m. will see the of­ ficial opening and the start of the famous turtle races. Dogs will get their day this year as well as a Mutt Show is planned for the afternoon also. The day will conclude with a dance in the park pavilion. Sunday all are invited to “breakfast in the park” followed by a community church service at the Bap­ tist Church while a Gospel Youth Rally will be held at the park. The finals in the turtle races will be held following lunch. This year •for the first time a Marathon Road Race is be­ ing planned from Ailsa Craig to Nairh and back, for all those who have been faithfully jogging of late. The customary chicken and beef barbecues are scheduled Sat. and Sun. evenings. If anyone needs to work up an appetite a slow pitch ball game will take place Sun. afternoon. The week-end is being sponsored by the Ailsa Craig Business Association and Ailsa Craig and District Lions Club. During that period, the in­ dividual must be either released, admitted in­ formally (voluntarily) or admitted involuntarily. If a Certificate of Involuntary Admission is to be issued, a physician other than the one who completed tha application will have to conduct the assessment. When a person comes to an institution on a certificate, the certificate is to be reviewed by the person in charge of the psychiatric institution, to ensure that it is in order. The patient is to be advised of his rights, and an at­ tending physician who completes a Certificate of Involuntary Admission or a certificate of renewal must give or transmit a notice in writing of completion and filing of the certificate to the patient and to the area director for the area, in accordance with The Legal Aid Act, in which the psychiatric facility is located. The increased number of people now working with psychiatric patients has made even more critical the potential fbr improper disclosure of what* must be confidential information. Stringent controls are necessary and the legislation has removed this issue from hospital administrative discretion. Provisions have been included in the bill which grant a court discretion to keep out of court any clinical records which could be harmful if disclosed. / Previously individuals admitted to a psychiatric facility had to be examined, as quickly as possible, to determine their competency to manage their estates. Where they were in­ competent, a Certificate of Incompetence was issued to the Public Trustee, who assumed responsibility on behalf of the patient. Now this has been ex­ tended to psychiatric out­ patients who were previously unable to qualify for the help of the Public Trustee. The new legislation also provides for the ex­ tension of the committeeship of a person’s estate by the Public Trustee where the Supreme Court is satisfied that the person will continue to be incompetent to manage his estate. Although Bill 19 received approval on third reading on June 23rd, it will not come into effect until it has been proclaimed. YOUNG ACTORS — After hearing the story of the "Lost Sheep”, the grade one class of the Nairn Vacation Bible School acted out the story under the guidance of the teacher. Award certificates Bible school again popular By JOY SCHEIFELE ‘ AILSA CRAIG One of the largest in the area, the Nairn Daily vaca­ tion Bible School was well attended again this year. For the thirtieth consecutive year classes were held over a two week period. Although it was only a few brief days since the closing of the regular school classes, Monday, July 3rd found children arriving at the Nairn Mennonite Church * via Langs buses, cars, bikes anti even a few on -foot ready and eager to begin two weeks of morning sessions. At the signal of the familiar hand bell the children quick­ ly organized themselves into class lines and began filing into the church to the tune of “Onward Christian Soldiers”. Inside a collec­ tive worship period was held under the leadership of Director, David Brunner, pastor of the Nairn church. Children then divided into individual classes and nursery class through to grade two boarded buses and were taken to the East Williams Public School where they enjoyed their sessions in spacious classroom settings. Grades three to eight remained at the church for their instruc­ tion; and at 11:30 a.m. the buses returned from the school with the younger children and picked up the other students to be return­ ed home. The theme of this year’s school was “God’s People” and each morning in the assembly period the children learned related songs and scripture passages. Teachers this year includ­ ed Lyn Cousins, June Gingerich, Thelma Robin­ son and part time assistants Dorothy Nordeman and Yvonne Sutherland for the nursery class, Carol McCallum and Fanny Gingerich for Kindergarten I, Lois Watson and Lori Schlegel for Kindergarten II, Ruth Martin and Carol Murray for Grade 1, Sue Heidebrecht and Eva Martin for grade 2; Ann Elliott for grade 3; Joy Scheifele grade 4, Judi Henry, grade 5, Ruth Arnel grade 6, Trudi Thomp­ son grade 7 and Alice Jinker- son and Emma Crouch grade 8. Mrs. Beryl Watson acted as a substitute teacher and Beatrice Bender babysat for a number of the teachers throughout the school period. 6 Friday evening, July 14th, a closing programme was held in the auditorium of the East Williams Public School. Children marched in carrying class banners to their processional “I’m Gonna Keep On Singing.” Each class presented a brief sample of what had been learned throughout the two weeks in individual groups. Collectively they sang a number of songs and repeated portions of scrip­ ture learned during the cor­ porate worship each mor­ ning. The total enrolment this year was 168 with an average attendance of 131. The children’s daily offerings totalled $237.99 which was divided equally among the Canadian Bible Society, farmers in Ghana project, and Compassion. Expenses for the school amounted to $950.00 with receipts of $600 from the Nairn Mennonite Church, $100 from Knox Centre Road Church $50 from Beechwood Church and $269.27 from the offering received at the final programme. Certificates were presented to grade eight students Christine Cudney, Lynn Garley and Anne McLachlan. It was noted that Anne had Achieved a perfect attendance from Nursery through to grade 8. Special thanks was ex­ pressed to the Middlesex Board of Education for the free use of classrooms at the East Williams School and to the school’s janitorial staff as well as to the bus drivers Alf Ropp, Ernie Schlegel and who gave freely of their time also. Christmas is observed Thirty-two adults and children attended the McCarter Christmas gathering over the weekend at the Old Homestead, Bayfield. They celebrated Mr. & Mrs. Roy Ferguson’s 28th wedding anniversary which was July 15 and celebrated Mr. & Mrs. Ray McCarter of Detroit 25th wedding an­ niversary which was in March; also Mr. Ray McCarter’s birthday which was July 14; also Mr. & Mrs. Harold Jaques of Mississauga their 12th wedding anniversary which was July 16. Christmas gifts were exchanged. Those present were from Detroit Michigan, Bobcaygeon, London, Mississauga and the surrounding area. MERNER'S Hind Quarters of CUSTOM KILLING — Butcher Day Wednesday For Pick-Up Service Call 237-3314 Choice of Clear See-Thru Film or Brown Freezer paper FuWy Processed - Satisfaction Guaranteed Prices Effective to Saturday, July 22 Phone 237-3314 For All Processing or Freezer Needs Times-Advocate, July 20, 1978 Don't Miss SummerClearance , . SALE »Blue Bonnet * IN ZURICH ALL SUMMER STOCK X REDUCED 20-50% \\\ STARTING July 21st-Aug 12th All sales are final No refund on sale items / $1.47 Sides of eef $1.21 cut, wrapped and frozen