SEACLIFF MENTAL HOSPITAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25365, 25 October 1943, Page 2

SEACLIFF MENTAL HOSPITAL

Sir,—Mr Chisholm has done a great service to suffering humanity by revealing one phase of the condition of the lives of the patients of each mental hospital. The Inmates themselves are more helpless than children in many cases, and often far more patient, so their complaints, It articulated, are unheeded. On inquiring naturally as to the progress cf their loved ones, the relations too are as often as not dismissed with a curt refusal to discuss any details relevant to their welfare. Everybody owes a great debt of gratitude to the doctors and nurses of the institution, but even that sense of indebtedness does not choke back the feelings of indignation that arise nor me pity for those who suffer, generally for no fault of their own.—-I am, Hawke's Bay, October 19. Sir,—Kindly allow me to thank Mr Chisholm for his efforts to improve the lot of the mental patients. These days we hear much talk of a Christian order. Let it include mental hospital patients. It surely reflects no credit on our socalled humanitarian Government, members of which pcse as the champion or the weak and downtrodden, that such a state of affairs as that described by Mr Chisholm should exist, more especially under the present Minister. When I thin a of the benefits and privileges granted to the staff of the hospital by the Labour Government I find it very difficult ipdeea to agree with Mr Chisholm that the Minister of Health is helpless to effect any reform where the patients are concerned. The reason why these unfortunate people receive such scant consideration is simply because on election day they have no say in the government of this country. I would like to ask why, when all employees received the 40-hour week, it was not extended to include the working patients. For the benefit of the general public, allow me to explain that the patients working on tlie main byres and Simla byres are compelled to work from 4.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on seven days per week, in return for which they receive the meals mentioned by Mr Chisholm. If this is the outcome of Christian teachings, let us have no more of it. In my humble opinion mental patients are entitled to the same consideration as those caring for them, a* manv of them, despite their mental disability, are a greater asset to this country.—l am, etc., * Applied Christianity. October 21.

Sir,—l think there must be somethin* very wrong when nurses and othen complain of the lack of suitable food at the Seacliff Mental Hospital and of the way in which the food is cooked and served. Not a few nurses have told me that they have to have recourse to sweets and biscuits, which they buy at the stores. Now, if the staff experiences these conditions, what must the conditions be for tna patients? It is certainly no recommendation for girls to take on this type of nursing, even if they were themserve* well catered for. I seem to remember cur Government saying that nothing was too good for our less unfortunate brothers and sisters. Well, “nothing” seems to have a novel meaning in this case. Would that there were more like Mr Chisholm! — I am. etc., Do Unto Others. Dunedin, October 21.

[A letter on this subject by “ Dietitlon has been referred to the Minister in charge of mental hospitals. In anticipation of the issue of an official pronouncement respecting it. this correspondence must be ! suspended.—Ed., O.D.T.]