OAKLEY INQUIRY “Therapists’ pay unjust”

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32700, 1 September 1971, Page 2

OAKLEY INQUIRY “Therapists’ pay unjust”

(New Zealand Press Association! AUCKLAND, August 31. Young occupational therapists employed in psychiatric hospitals received $lB6 a year less than their colleagues employed by hospital boards, the Commission of Inquiry into Oakley Hospital was told today.

Mrs B. Searle, senior occupational therapist at the hospital, said that in November, 1969, occupational therapists employed by hospital boards were granted a sub, stantial rise.

However, this had not been given to occupational therapists working in psychiatric hospitals, despite repeated requests to the Mental Health Division.

She said graduates worked under a bond system for two years and were directed to

positions either in general hospitals or psychiatric hospitals.

Those who worked as occupational therapists in psychiatric hospitals received $lB6 a year less than their colleagues in general hospitals. Mrs Searle said that in view of the nature of work in psychiatric hospitals this discrepancy in salary scales was deplorable and unjust. Earlier in the day, the secretary of the hospital, Mr A C. Pfeifer, said he believed the size of Oakley should be set for between 950 and 1000 patients. The hospital now contains more than 1000 patients.

High-security unit If criminal and highsecurity patients were to be treated in Oakley, a separate unit should be built for them and this would permit, the replanning and upgrading of the remaining accommodation, he said. There were also grave deficiencies in other wards which called for substantia) expenditure, and in some areas heating was either unsatisfactory or virtually nonexistent Mr J. S. Wyrill, assistant head nurse at the hospital, said a small isolation unit should be built to cater for cases of contagious illness in mental patients. “Epidemic risk” He said there was a constant risk of epidemic at Oakley and although tuberculosis was no longer a major cause for isolation there was an increase in the cases of hepatitis and the possibility of typhoid breaking out.