MENTAL HOSPITALS

Evening Star, Issue 20556, 7 August 1930, Page 15

MENTAL HOSPITALS

SURVEY OF SEACLIFF'S YEAS The activities of the Seacliff Mental Hospital during 1929 are reviewed by Dr Childs in the annual report ql tlie mental institutions of the dominion, which was presented to Parliament' yesterday. . The report says:— At the commencement of the year there were 1,188 patients on the register (619 males and 539 females), and at the year’s conclusion 1,186 (s oi males and 529 females). The admissions numbered 133 (88 males and 45 females); 42 patients were discharged (20 males and 22 females), while 11 males and 2 females were transferred to other hospitals. Eighty patients died during the year (49 males and 31 females), 13 between the ages of eighty and ninety, 17 between seventy and eighty, and one over ninety. At the beginning of the year there were 46 voluntary boarders (25 males and 21 females). Twelve males and six females were admitted, nine males and eight females wore discharged, while one of each- sex died One voluntary boarder was committed. The average weekly number of patients resident during the year was 1.165 (746 males and 519 females). The number placed on probation during the year was 64 (38 males and 26 females). The health, of the patients has been uniformly good, but it has been otherwise with the nursing staff, a considerable number having been off duty through sickness, often of a serious nature, and I regret to report the deaths of Attendant •D. Hendry, and a charge attendant, J. _W. Churchman. Dr Gribben was in charge of the hospital until April 24, when I took over. Dr Gribben, although his health was causing some concern, did all he could to make me familiar with the work of the different branches of the hospital, and the help thus given made the task of taking over as simple and pleasant as possible. A fairly extensive building programme has been in progress throughout the year. The new kitchen and laundry block is now almost ready for occupation, the store, indeed, being already occupied. The new oil store and petrol storage tank were completed early in the year, as was a new bathroom and boiler House at Waitati. A new bathroom with boiler house attached, and sanitary conveniences for patients and staff were built at Simla. This addition is » particularly pleasing structure, and a model of its kind. The day at Simla was extended, and an extra fireplace was added. This addition is much appreciated Extensive alterations and repairs were completed at The Retreat, Waitati, and the interior of the older portion was papered and painted, while improvement was effected in the hot water supply. The work on the farm has proceeded steadily under Mr Gray, the now farm manager. In addition to the breakitigin of a small amount of new pasture, the usual routine of top-dressing, fencing, draining, and road making has been proceeded with. The gardens also have been well looked after, and the results achieved show the attention they have received. Work has bcen - carried on as usual at the fishing station, but the returns have not been very encouraging. The weekly clinic at Dunedin Hospital is being well attended, and a considerable amount of advice is given. The Dunedin Hospital at present adopts the policy of keeping suitable patients who show reasonable prospects of recovery in a short time, and in this way some patients have been returned to their homes without admission to the mental hospital, Amusements and recreation, as hitherto, have taken their part in the hospital regime', picture shows, weekly dances during the winter, and occasionally concerts being held. Outside amusements and games have also been indulged in in their respective seasons. Although the nursing staff has been considerably depleted at times by sickness, the welfare of tho patients has not suffered, and I would thank the matrons, head attendants, and the nursing staff _ generally for the way they have carried on and tho good work clone in difficult circumstances. The other branches of the staff have also worked well.