MENTAL HOSPITAL. ATTENDANTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 50, 28 August 1911, Page 2

MENTAL HOSPITAL. ATTENDANTS.

fd tHfi EDITOft, Sir,— Having read a lot in The Poefc lately about attendants in mental hospitals, I would like to express my opinion, if you can grant me-jspace, It appears to me that Mr. R. O. Fullbrook is & man who has been through the mill and fully understands the disadvantages the attendants labour under, and let me tell you he is not far wrong when he says, " They are the Worst treated branoh in the Government service," h*ving to put up wM the nerve-racking chatter of the insane not only -during the day but at night *s well, and are only Allowed away from tie place for a few hours every other evening. For instance, after starting duty ab 6r30 ft.m. Monday morning they are allotted to go to bed after 8 p.m., not bailiff allowed out; start agft-fii at 6.30 a.m. Tuesday, and are off duty for the first time at 5.30 p.m., having to return again some at 10.30 and 11 p.m. That is Now* Zealand Government service. Of course, " Anthropology's ".letters are those of an ex-patient, and can't be taken notice of. And as for the Minister s statement that attendants are off duty for an hour and ft-half during their long day and one hour on short days, it is not true, They are distinctly told that they are not* to leave their mess room during that time, and while they are under orders they are still on duty. Hotr can the public expect theif patient friends to get proper mental treait* ment if they don't first see that tho people whose charge they are placed under are properly treated ? Is it possible that a nurse, male or female, cwi gi?e proper attention to patients after having worked nine three-quarter hours a, day for 366 days each year? 1 think it is time that the public who ha,ve friends in those institutions should take the matter up and seoure better treatment for those in attendance, thereby securing better treatment for the inmates, Trusting this will help to show the public theif duty.— l am, eta, F A SYMPATHISER. Christohurch, 25th August, 1911. [We may state that "Anthropology" is not an. e*-patient, but, on the contrary, a very sane and responsible member of the community.! I TO ?&Z EDITOR, Sir,— lf "Anthropology" cannot stick to the point of the controversy, then I hope he will make an effort to stick to the facts and not hurl a grossly unfair misrepresentation at those who are "crucified" on being suspected of' communicating with the press. 'In His dissertation » on buns, butter, and dripping he says, inter alia, "Three houts hard work at meals." I have already pointed out that the attendants receive two half-hour* (breakfast and dinner) en their short days, and three half-hours (breakfast, dinner, and tea) oh their long days. The statements of the "Ex Nurse" are subßtantially correct, ahd I hope the Department will take the hint and discontinue those antiquated conditions.— l am, etc., R. O. FULLBROOK. ! Wellington, 24th August, 1911,