MENTAL HOSPITALS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11047, 2 November 1921, Page 6

MENTAL HOSPITALS

REPSRT IN PARLIAMENT MEMBERS TALK OF NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT. RELIEF FOR OVERCROWDING. On the Minister for Public Health (.the Hon. C. J. Parr) presenting the Mental Hospitals Report, Mr T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland) called attention to the urgent need for the overhaul and repair of the Westland Mental Hospital, quoting the recent description of the institution by Bishop Julius, of Christchurch. There teas much land connected with the institution, said Mr Seddon, suitable for farming purposes; and the balance that was not fitted for farming was very suitable for forestry work, which was just as curative in its tendency as farming work. Mr G. Witty (Riccarton) strongly urged the need for more accommodation in the medical hospitals, so as to permit of the more complete classification of patients. He contended, also, that no one should be allowed to remain, either as doctor or attendant, in any mental hospital for more than, say fifteen years. He was sorry that the Government ihad lost the opportunity of acquiring by purchase more land in the vicinity of tho Sunnyside Mental Hospital. ■v OFFICIAL VISITORS CONDEMNED. Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) said that people without friends and money shut up in these institutions to-day could never get out. The official visitors were not worth anything; what was wanted was a committee of reputable citizens to see _ that no one was there who was not entitled to be there. He knew of three cases himself where persons were sot out of the asylum and proved to be all right. R was not fair to put the whole responsibility on the medical superintendent. Ho concluded by a plea for the establishment of intermediate homes. Mr F. F. Hcx-kly (Rotorua) objected strongly to Mr Lysnar’s attitude, and said that the medical superintendents really the only people who could decide about patients—not a- committee of benevolent old gentlemen led away by their sympathies. Medical superintendents were only too glad to release persons who were cured. The Hon. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill) thought that what was required was an institution for persons who suffered from nervous breakdown. This would prevent these cases degenerating into cases of insanity. Mr Lysnar had alleged that he knew of three persons kept in institutions let out only on the hon. member’s representations. If this was the case, he thought the medical superintendent should be brought to account; but he believed that the member for Gisborne did not bring about the change m ■ the opinion of the medical expert. The truth was, possibly, that the patients had recovered, and were ready for • release. If it weTe hot so then the medical ‘ superintendent should not. have allowed himself to be coerced or induced by Mr Lysnar to release anyone he (thought should not be released. The names should be given to the Minister. Mr Eysnar I believe there are some there to-day who should be out. 5 SYDNEY CASE RECALLED. B, A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) stated that the point raised by Mr Lysnar was not only a serious one but a dangerous one indeed. How could inexperienced laymen 'safely judge these cases? Medical- men themselves differed. Not very long ago we had had a very sensational and striking case of a. lady who had caused a great sensation in Sydney, wanting to land here. A magistrate, with two medical men representing tho. authorities and two representing the lady in question, dealt with the case. The two medical men with the magistrate said that the lady was of unsound mind, but the two representing her said that she was not. Eventually she was allowed to land. He had had the privilege of meeting her, and so far as he could see she was perfectly ® a ne. Only experienced men, he contended, could safely judge in such cases. MINISTER IN REPLY. P ? rr *“ d he thought the report would show, on the whole, the ifiental hospitals were in a satisfactory state. As to overcrowding, he did not think the facts supported it. There was reasonable accommodation for 3000 patients, and they had in all only-about 250 too many. - But this condition would shortly be relieved by buildings now in process of erection. The suggestion that persons were detained in the institutions although cured, he could not understand. It meant that the medical officers did not know their work, and were incompe--p0 11 agree for a moment, the officers were not only skilled, but ready to take responsibility. A lay committee would be no improvement. The release of patients was his responsiand that of the medical heads of tue department. Last year over half the people discharged froin institutions were there less than six months. The department was only too .glad to discharge people who were cured. He had looked into cases himself of people apparently cured, and found that they were insane -on. one point only. He did not believe that there was the slightestfounaation for the suggestion that people were kept in these institutions who should be freed The report was received, and ordered to be printed.