Notice to the Profession and Public

Purpose

To clarify the process for disclosing the case note in accordance with the Practice Direction – Case Note and Practice Direction – Case Presenter.

Notice

When a patient is represented by an advocate from the Mental Health Law Program:

• The case note should be faxed 24 hours in advance of the hearing to MHLP administration staff at 604-331-0420. The responsibility is then placed on the administration staff at MHLP to ensure the case note is forwarded to the patient’s assigned advocate.

When a patient is not represented, or represented by a family member or near relative:

• For inpatients, the case note should be made available 24 hours before the hearing.
• For outpatients, the case note should be made available for pick-up 24 hours before the hearing at the facility where the patient is receiving treatment.

When a patient is represented by a private lawyer:

• The facility staff should inquire with counsel directly upon receiving a disclosure request and make the necessary arrangements for disclosure. This may include faxing directly to counsel.

Diana Juricevic

Chair, Mental Health Review Board

For a PDF version of the notice, please click here.