PPAO in the Media
13 August, 2007
Community Action
Thousands see Ontario Patient Advocate
In 2006, the Ontario Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office provided 22,255 first rights advice visits, and an additional 3,872 second or subsequent rights advice visits.
The PPAO, an arm’s length program of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, is set up to protect the legal and civil rights of inpatients in provincial psychiatric hospitals and to patients in most general hospitals with a mental health unit. It also advises individuals (or their decision-makers) living in the community who are being considered for Community Treatment Orders.
PPAO Director, David Simpson reports that the service was provided in 45 languages and Rights Advisers assisted and supported clients to make 3,256 applications to the Consent and Capacity Board. In 2006 there were 1,311 requests for rights advice on an intention to issue or renew a Community Treatment Order, representing a 26.3% increase in the number of issuances and a 7% increase with respect to renewals, when compared with 2005.
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