THE MENTAL HOSPITALS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15855, 29 August 1913, Page 7

THE MENTAL HOSPITALS.

OVERCROWDING PROBLEM. STAFFING DIFFICULTIES. "STATEMENT BY MR RUSSELL. SCHEME OUTLINED BY THE MINISTER. (Fbom Oub Own Coeresposdeot.) WELLINGTON, August 27. The Minister in charge of Hospitals (tho Hon. R. H. Rhodes) was asked in the House this afternoon by Mr Dickson whether ho had received any applications in regard to additional staffing at the Auckland Mental Hospital. It was pointed out at the inquest on tho la to Mrs Hall, Mr Dickson stated, that tho institution was overcrowded' and understaffed. He would) like to know whether tho Minister had had any applications from the officials for additional nurses or attendants.

Mr Rhodes replied thot he was well aware that the Mental Hospital was overcrowded. In regard to the shortage in the staff, he said that it was very difEoulfc indeed to obtain nurses, and in order to overcome that difficulty arrangements had been made for an increase of salary and for obtaining a supply of nurses from England. Twenty-five of these nurses, who" had been selected by the ex-matron of one of our institutions, had arrived', and to a certain extent they would meet the demand' for extra attendants. He freely acknowledged that tho institutions' were overcrowded.

Mr Witty: That applies to all the institutions, does it not? _Jlr Rhodes 6aid that was so, but that with the extra aooommodation provided during the past year and that which would be provided during the present year he hoped' that all requirements would be met. He hoped also to bo able to deal with the question of proper qualification during the coming year.