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4 Treatment in local communities
Persons who have received the decision of outpatient care or decision to permit discharge from a hospital by a court receive outpatient medical treatment at a designated hospital for inpatient care (designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare) and are placed under mental health supervision by probation offices for three years in principle. Mental health supervision aims to ensure continued medical care for the persons concerned and to provide them with the necessary guidance, etc. by supervising their hospital visits and living conditions through interviewing them and receiving reports from the relevant agencies. The appropriate utilization of assistance, etc. provided by prefectures and municipalities in accordance with the Services and Supports for Persons with Disabilities Act (Act No. 123 of 2005) is also important for such persons to establish stable lives in local communities. Probation offices therefore make the effort to formulate treatment plans through discussions with the designated medical institutions for outpatient treatment and prefectures/municipalities, and by maintaining a close relationship with the relevant agencies to ensure that the medical care, mental health supervision, and assistance incorporated into the plans are being effectively implemented.
In 2008, 175 cases were received for mental health supervision by probation offices (excluding cases received by transfer), of which 114 were through decision to permit discharge from a hospital (Source: Annual Report of Statistics on Rehabilitation).
Termination of treatment (medical care), excluding completion of the term and re-hospitalization to designated medical institutions for inpatient care, are determined by a court through hearings. In 2008, 38 decisions of termination of medical care and two decisions of re-hospitalization were made (Source: Annual Report of Judicial Statistics).
Rehabilitation coordinators (limited to psychiatric social workers or other certified social workers as specified in a Cabinet Order who have specialized knowledge on the health and welfare of anyone with a mental disorder) engage in clerical work at probation offices in accordance with the Act on Medical Care and Treatment for Insane Persons, etc.
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