SUNNYSIDE HOSPITAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15892, 11 October 1913, Page 10

SUNNYSIDE HOSPITAL.

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.

ADDRESSES BY COUNSEL.

(Pku United Pukss Association.)

CHRISTCHURCII, Octobcr 10.

Tho Sunnyside Mental Hospital inquiry reached its final sitting this morning, when counsel addressed the commissioner,

Mr Raymond, for the institution officers, said the evidence exonerated tlie medical staff and attendants from charges ot impropriety. He reoognised that chargcs of a most sensational character had been made against the medical officers, including drunkenness and callousness, and against the attendants of brutality and rudeness. The charges had proved utterly baseless, and the inquiry dissolved the misty illogicality which' sought to oonnect tlie shortcomings of the institution system with the personnel of the institution. The death rate, the age rate, and tlio recovery rate at Sunnysioe compared more tluin favourably with Other institutions in the dominion, and established beyond question the fact that gruesome, depraved habits were contracted consequent on insanity by patients who had previously led healthy lives. It had been difficult for tho relatives of such pationt6 to comprehend the full meaning of the change which came over the patients. Mr Raymond then reviewed the evidence, and was followed by Mr DougaJl, representing the friends of "the lato W. Tribe. ■Mr Stringer, K.C., for the_ department, said that the department, hiul in connection with the spocitic charges remained entirely neutral. So far as the department was concerned it had taken every precaution to prevent abuses arising. ' Elaborate riiies and regulations'were''lai'd down for the guidance of the attendants and staff. The department also iiad stipulated in the contracts that the food,: clotning/aJid bedding, should be of the best quality. Skilled and experienced . officers were. selected to see that the rules and regulations were carried out. The department fully concurred with wnat Dr'Gow had said as to tho accommodation at the. hospital. This discovery, however, was not a new one, and ae lar back as 1908 the then inspector-general, Dr MacGregor, had set out what, was required, and that wiiis exactly what was being asked for to-day, The present inspector-general in 1908 aiso pointed out that more accommodation was required atSunnysido in order that proper classification might be carried out. The lack cf accommodation had constantly been brought before the notice of the department, That lack prevented proper classification. A propor reception ward and proper infirmary ward'wore requited. Sunnyside also laboured under difficulties by reason of tho original defects of the building, but considering those defects the stalf had done splendidly. Dr-Hay, inspector-general, who spoke by permission of the commissioner, eaid that the proportion, of medioal officers in the Old Country was 1 to 400, not 1 to 300 as stated.' Tho department; had already decided to appoint another' medical officer for Sunnyside. It was also proposed to appoint two matrons and two head attendants at each institution, so that the wards would always bo under proper control. That, ho considered, would be a big thing. In reply to,Mr Davey, Dr Hay said that tho department was very careful as to what payment was made by tho relatives of a patient.. The nearest relatives were ap--proachedi -first and asked. to stato what they could contribute. In most cases what was offered was accepted. Accounts were then sent out in the usual course. As far possible action through tho court was avoided, and tho department was not hard on the relatives. Tho medical superintendent did not know what the relatives of tho different, patients contributed. . : Continuing, Dr'Hay said that tho qualification for discharge was fitness in tho opinion of ;a. perpon qualified to grant a discharge. Sub-section 12 of flio 1 Act-was a guide, and showed that it was not:necessary that absolute recovery was the only' qualification for discharge. In Tribe's case his detention was no longer necessary,. The certificate as given by Dr Orchard oould have been given by tho hospital doctors, and there was no reason for an inquest; sis'death was duo to natural causes. Tho wholo spirit of tho Act was to facilitate discharge. Only a few post mortem 1 examinations had ever been ordered.. mortem examinations were held generally fof verify a diagnosis. It was found ..in- NewZealand, as in England, that tho mentally infirm were sent to the montal hospitals, where tho Government had to keep tlx'in, instead of to the old people's homes, where the local 'ratepayers lia<l to keep them. Regarding accommodation, Dr Hay said that two new buildings were to be erected at Auckland, but difficulty ovor tho site had led to doiay. A now block of buildings' was to be erected at Porirua, and.'an admission place and a hospital \yas, to lio' erected at Scaclill. An admission'place for men and a place for 50 women of theHu'rbulont class, and improvements were also to be. carried out at Waituti, near Seacliff. He anticipated no difficulty in getting the money, for tho people, even before the inquiry was held, realised their responsibility in the matter of providing proper accommodation and treatment for tho patients' sent to tho mental hospitals. Tho Commissioner said that all lie could do with regard to the costs in that type of inquiry was to make a recommendation. 110 could not mako an order as to costs. He wished to thank counsel, and also Mr. Davoy, (or tho assistance given him, and would say that lie would make his report to tlie Government as speedily as pos&ihlo. The inquiry then closed,