Policy changes ahead at East Coast Forensic Hospital
Posted Sep 18, 2012 02:43:08 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – A review of policies surrounding the release of patients at a Halifax psychiatric hospital makes 18 recommendations aimed at improving the system.
The report released Tuesday says specific criteria should be developed to assess a patient’s risk of violence and of fleeing without permission.
There is also a call for daily assessments of a patient’s mental health before they are granted a leave.
The report says the public should be informed of potential risks when a patient is reported missing and officials should explore the possibility of using cellphones and pagers to monitor patients on leave.
The review was launched by the province following the beating death of prominent gay activist Raymond Taavel on a street in downtown Halifax in April.
Andre Noel Denny has been charged with second-degree murder in the death.
Denny was on a one hour unescorted leave from the East Coast Forensic Hospital on the night Taavel was killed but he didn’t return to the facility.
The review was done by the deputy ministers of Health and Wellness and Justice, and the chief executive officer of the Capital District Health Authority.
