TRANSFER OF PATIENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23165, 11 October 1938, Page 9

TRANSFER OF PATIENTS

INFIRMARY MENTAL CASES ATTITUDE OF DEPARTMENT The sudden addition to the Auckland Mental Hospital of 20 patients would be an embarrassment to the Mental Hospitals Department, stated the u Director-General of the department, Dr. T. G. Gray, in a letter received by * the Auckland Hospital Board last) night. He said his attention had been directed to a recent statement that.., the board contemplated the transfer of ,20 alleged mental cases from the Auckland Infirmary to the Mental Hospital. Dr. Gray said that in the institution - there were many aged people who were harmless and who could be discharged if there were -provision bv tho board of adequate facilities for the treatment of aged and infirm people. It appeared to him that, instead of a transfer of the type that had been indicated, some arrangement might be made for an exchange, so that each institution might accommodate the type of patient for which it was equipped. He suggested that any cases of doubtful mental patients should be given m-. dividual consideration by the board si officers in consultation with the medical superintendent of the Mental Eios- i pital. , .. ' The Infirmary Committee of the board recommended that the department should bo informed that the board at all times exercised the greatest care in having patients committed to the Mental Hospital. It was pointed out that nursing staff ivas nob „■ trained to look after mental cases and there were no facilities for their care at the infirmary. Tho board endeavoured to keep as many such cases as ~ possible at the infirmary so long % they could be controlled.