Inquiry under s95 of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992
Terms of Reference
1. To inquire into the adequacy and timeliness of services provided to Paul Ellis and his family by the South Auckland Mental Health Services in October 2001, and communication and liaison with other agencies such as courts and Police providing emergency and justice services, including:
- community assessment processes prior to hospital admission
- assessment on admission, including any factors which may have compromised this
- communication about the scheduling of, involvement of family members in and information required for the s16 review hearing, and presentation of opinion and evidence at that hearing
- assessment and advice immediately after the s16 review hearing, the decision to initiate treatment as an outpatient, and recommendations made for treatment and re-assessment in the community
- communication and coordination between the in-patient and community services
- community treatment, re-assessment and follow-up, including whether this was sufficiently assertive
- responsiveness to the concerns of the family and liaison with other emergency service agencies such as Police
- consideration given to re-initiation of compulsory assessment and treatment under the Act at all stages after the s16 review hearing;
- and to make comment on any other relevant matters relating to the operation of the South Auckland Mental Health Services which may have had an impact on the care delivered to Mr Ellis.
2. To consider whether changes in service provision or in policy or legal frameworks should be instituted, including consideration of:
- the time period between admission and review under s16
- persons who should be notified of and given the opportunity to be heard in a review under s16
- minimum notification period for a s16 review hearing.
3. To recommend any actions which you consider necessary to improve the provision of mental health services either in South Auckland or nationally, and to make any other recommendations which arise from the inquiry.
Related information
22 October 2003 Media release: Ellis Inquiry findings released - a summary
Mental Health Publications
Like Minds website: www.likeminds.govt.nz
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