TALBOYS HOME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21987, 23 June 1933, Page 10

TALBOYS HOME

TREATMENT OF INMATES CONDITIONS FULLY INVESTIGATED A lengthy discussion took place at the meeting of the Otago Hospital Board last night on the conditions obtaining at the Talboys Home. Dr Newlands, chairman of the Benevolent Committee, in accordance with a resolution passed at the previous meeting of the board, submitted a comprehensive report on the food and its quality and the accommodation at the home.

In his report. Dr Newlands stated that he had made four visits of investigation to the Talboys Home, and had found that the meals, as served, corresponded closely to the prescribed menu. He saw no instance of any inmate not receiving a sufficient portion, nor any failure to supply a second helping when requested. Meat, bread, butter, vegetables, and jams were all tasted by him at different times, and were found to be quite satisfactory in quantity, quality, and cleanliness. On the figures supplied by the accountant the food value of the foodstuffs supplied per inmate per week worked out at rather over 3000 calories per diem per inmate, whereas the standard figure for a man doing ordinary work was given at 2000 to 3200 calories per day. The underclothing appeared to be adequate. Some of the inmates expressed a preference for long-sleeved undervests, and a few wanted woven garments instead of the flannel or, union material supplied the institution. Many of them provided their own clothing in part, especially those who entered for' short periods, and many of the suits were worn and somewhat shabby, but he came across no instance of inadequate clothing from the point of view of warmth. With regard to housing, the institution was, he understood, oyer 60 years old, and the extensions had been -made in a somewhat haphazard manner. The wards and the recreation room were adequately warmed, but they were, in some cases, rather cheerless. The necessity for crossing the grounds in order to reach the dining hall was in winter time an undesirable feature. In general, it would appear that the old place had nearly outlived its usefulness, and in the not distant future the provision of a new building must receive the board’s attention. In the meantime, there was no hardship entailed; the sanitary arrangements were satisfactory, the bedding appeared to be sufficient, and the straw mattresses, which had been the subject of adverse comment, were stated to be warmer than flock and were, in some instances, preferable for sanitary reasons. It was to be understood that this report did mot refer to the infirmary block, i .

Mr Jones said he had never heard any complaints regarding the infirmary, but he agreed that the interior of the main building was as drab as anyone could conceive. In the past, the inmates had been given three-course dinners, and he saw no reason why they should not receive the same treatment to-day. In the matter of food and accommodation the Talboys Home compared very unfavourably with the Ross Home and the Little Sisters of the Poor Home. He would like to see more variety in the menu at the Talboys Home, with the addition of eggs and fruit occasionally, and crockery tableware used instead of enamel. Moreover, lie considered that better clothing should be provided for the inmates. Mr Dove said he had visited the institution on many occasions and at all times, and he would like to ask Mr Jones what he had been told on a certain occation by an inmate regarding the quality and quantity of the food. Mr Jones admitted that the majority ■of the inmates were satisfied with the food, but he had had complaints with regard to the cutting out of soup and pudding. One old man. however, had said, “This place will do me.” His complaint was founded on his own observations, and his, criticism was levelled at the conditions generally. Mr Dove said that the man he referred to had worked for 60 years in the city and had left a good home with his son to reside at the Talboys Home. When asked his opinion of the food, he had replied: “It is good enough for me, and those who are not satisfied with it deserve to starve.” He had said all along, and would reaffirm, continued Mr Dove, that the food served at Talboys Home was good enough for anyone, and the board was providing the old people with food that was second to none in regard to both quality and quantity. Moreover, did Mr Jones know that it cost the board between £SOO and £6OO per annum to supply tobacco to the inmates of the home? Mr Steel said he did not think it was fair to spring the instruction conveyed in the resolution on the new chairman of the Benevolent Committee, for after all, the matter was mostly an aftermath of the election. He had visited the home several times,, and generally speaking he had not, in the circumstances, much fault to find. In any case, he thought that the whole matter was one that should have been discussed informally by the committee and not brought before the whole board. Mr Jones pointed out that he had not cast any reflection on the quality of the food or the management of the home. His principal complaint was that the board displayed too great a tendency to economise, especially where butter was concerned. Dr Newlands said that the allowance of butter was 7ioz per inmate per week, which he considered very fair. He had mentioned the question of a three-couise dinner to the manager, who pointed out that,, when this was provided, a great many of the inmates took only two of the courses, and this was responsible for a great deal of waste. The average man did not have a three-course dinner every day, and he did not think it necessary to enforce such a regulation. He agreed, however, with Mr Jones, that eggs, when they were at a reasonable price, could be provided. As for fruit, he thought this was supplied. Mr Dove: They get it frequently. “In any case,” said Dr Newlands, “some of them are a lot of chronic old growlers, and if you fed them on nectar and ambrosia they would still not be satisfied.” Dr Newlands was thanked for his report, which was received.