Help To Patients At Templeton

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31769, 28 August 1968, Page 12

Help To Patients At Templeton

Increasing interest by the outside community, particularly from professional groups, had been a significant feature of the year’s activities at Templeton Hospital and Training School, said the Medical Superintendent (Dr J. C. Marshall) in his annual report. Student groups, numbering about 400, from Christchurch Teachers’ College and the University of Canterbury had made conducted visits and discussed with staff the work of the hospital. Dr Marshall said similar visits were also made by clubs and organisations. This interest was welcomed by many patients who regarded the visitors as guests. The Combined Churches Adoption Trust had continued its “adoption scheme” of individual patients without visitors or contact with relatives. They were involved in correspondence, visiting, birthday remembrances, outings and even holidays. The welfare council, meeting bi-monthly at the hospital, was made up largely of representatives of various service organisations and clubs. They took a lively interest in the hospital, particularly at Christmas. Projects included help with the fireworks display and provision of television sets. At

present the council was busy with a project to provide playground equipment.

A sub-committee of the council was responsible for the voluntary help scheme which had been running for more than three years. Every week at least 15 persons spent an hour or two each helping in general activities with the infants and toddlers and in social training and recreation of older patients. “This contact with people in everyday activity, brings the Templeton community closer to, and makes them feel part of the outside community,” said Dr Marshall. During the year there had been more social and recreational outings. Some had been organised by the hospital but many clubs and organisations had worked hard to make them a success.