MENTAL HOSPITALS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 23 May 1925, Page 9

MENTAL HOSPITALS.

TREATMENT OF PATIENTS

REFORMS PROPOSED

OUTLINE OF SCHEME,

(BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATIONJ WELLINGTON, May 23. A number of important, and farreaching reforms in the treatment and care of mental patients have been decided on by Sir Maui Rom are, Minister in charge of mental hospitals, and has been approved by Cabinet. It is. considered by the Minister that when these advanced stages a.ie completed New Zealand will occupy the foremost place in the world in dealing with mental cases. ,similar to the position to, that which independent, visiting medical men have agreed that it fit old.si in respect to general health matters.

Special attention as drawn by the Minister in. a statement to the new and more humane system to be adopted in. dealing with new or suspected cases? of mental and •nervous trouble. Lodgment ini police cells or prison is to be done away with, and special cottages, out of sight of the main mental hospitals, are to be erected in which incipient or suspected cases can be observed and treated.

Tire following is the outline Of the reforms:

(a) To promote prompt recognition of serious mental affections, and to encourage adoption of suitable treatment in early stages. (bj To ensure provisional use of imnrovecl methods of handling and dealing with mental, patients prior to and at time of committal as insane, and to abolish temporary, lodging in prison pending decision. (c) To ensure the provision of a better use of facilities for classification, care and treatment, especially in the case of more recent impressionable, sensitive and curable patients. (d) To improve the provision in ,Flie way of kitchens, laundries, etc. ■ (e) To remove overcrowding. (f) To correct any outstanding defects of sanitation and ventilation.