I find the whole saga of “managing Amos” baffling. First, months ago, Amo's mother told the court that Amos was assessed on 2 separate occasions before the trial began, by IMH psychiatrist(s).
Weeks later in court, when he rejected probation, he was remanded in prison for 3 weeks to assess his suitability for RTC. What was the diagnosis given to Amos by the team of psychiatrists and psychologists who assessed him? Did they agree with Dr Winslow that Amos has ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder)? Was their report tendered in court yesterday (23 June 2015)?
If they had concluded that Amos is NOT suitable for RTC, couldn’t they also comment whether Amos is suitable for MTO (Mandatory Treatment Order) because after all, all psychiatrists, besides diagnosing a patient, are also supposed to provide a treatment plan (which will include medications, counselling, treatment (e.g. MTO as an outpatient or an in-patient in an institution such as RTC or IMH) and support for caregivers.
Now, is the remand at IMH for a further 2 weeks to assess his suitability for MTO necessary? Especially after spending a gruelling 3 weeks in remand, also for the purpose of assessment? Hence, in total, we are saying Amos needs 5 weeks for assessment, first for suitability for RTC and now, for MTO!
Instead of remand at IMH for 2 weeks, shouldn’t Amos be assessed as an outpatient regarding suitability for MTO? Moreover, shouldn’t the psychiatrist(s) who had seen previously him at IMH also provide a report to the court to state a) their diagnosis of Amos and b) whether he is suitable for MTO?
Dr. Ang Yong Guan
Editor's Note: Dr Ang is a pschiatrist and owner of Ang Yong Guan Psychiatry Pte Ltd. He is also one of the founding members of the Singaporean First Party. He served as a psychiatrist with the Singapore Armed Forces between 1986 and 2003 and retired from the SAF (with the rank of Colonel) as Head of Psychological Medicine (now Psychological Care Centre), Military Medicine Institute, HQMC. He is currently in private practice. He is also a Visiting Consultant to the Institute of Mental Health.