In order to prevent abuse of patients at psychiatric hospitals, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has compiled a bill to revise the law that requires reporting to prefectures, etc. when a patient who seems to have been abused is discovered.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare presented a draft revision of the law at a Komeito party meeting held on the 28th to develop a support system so that people with disabilities and patients with intractable diseases can live with peace of mind.
According to this, in order to prevent abuse at psychiatric hospitals, hospital administrators are obliged to train staff and develop a consultation system for patients.
In addition, it will be made clear that those who discover a patient who seems to have been abused will be obliged to promptly report it to the prefectural government, etc., and that the staff who reported will not be subject to disadvantageous treatment such as dismissal.
Furthermore, in principle, the consent of the family has been required for hospitalization for medical protection of mentally ill persons who require inpatient treatment, but it can be implemented with the consent of the mayor of the municipality only when the family has not been close to the patient for a long time. After that, a support staff visits the hospital and establishes a business that responds to life consultations.
In addition, prefectures will issue "registration certificates" to patients with intractable diseases designated by the government, so that they can smoothly receive employment support and welfare services.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare plans to submit a bill to revise the Mental Health and Welfare Law, etc., to the extraordinary Diet session.