SEACLIFF HOSPITAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25384, 16 November 1943, Page 4

SEACLIFF HOSPITAL

STATEMENT BY MINISTER PUNS FOR NEW INSTITUTION SITE NEAR WAIKOUAITI j The Minister in Charge of the Mental Hospitals Department, Mr A. H. Nordmeyer, has forwarded us a reply to criticism of the administration of the institution which has appeared in our columns, and he expresses the hope that it will do much to allay the feelings that have been aroused by the statements of the Rev. J. Chisholm, formerly chaplain to the hospital. “ The food supplied to patients at Seacliff Mental Hospital has,” the Minister comments, “ recently been the subject of discussion. Representations were made to me some months ago regarding the diet and working conditions of nurses. This matter was looked into, and amongst other things a new nurses’ kitchen was commenecd. This was a departure from the Government’s policy that no new capital work be embarked upon at Seacliff—a policy based upon the realisation that the mental hospital there is made up of unsatisfactory buildings, upon an unsatisfactory site, and one to be completely evacuated as soon as buildings can be erected elsewhere. Problems of Administration “ The present criticism does not surprise me,” Mr Nordmeyer says. “Though exaggerated, I believe it has some basis. The evening meal, I find, has not always been as appetising or as nutritious as it might have been, and I have given certain instructions that should result in a definite improvement. I want, however, to take this opportunity of making some general remarks about the administration of this hospital in the hope that the public will realise the difficulties under which the staff labours. “The first building was erected at Seacliff before 1880 of a type of construction now long outmoded for the purpose of treating mental patients. Since that time it has been continually added to and patched, and the institution is now an ill-assorted assembly of buildings, none of which is really suited to its present purpose. Steps .might have been taken to improve this, but unfortunately the land upon which the buildings are situated is slowly moving, and in these circumstances extensive reconstructional work was thought undesirable. The administration of a mental hospital is never easy. These circumstances give Seacliff problems not found in other institutions. With an adequate staff they might all be overcome, but at present with 23 short on the male side and 38 on the female, many things that are usually done to increase the patients’ happiness have to be left undone. “ While normally healthy patients receive the same quantities of rationed foodstuffs, such as sugar and butter, as the civilian population, there is no restriction on the of such lines for patients who, for health reasons, require a larger issue. Special diets are also issued on the prescriptions by the medical staff in all necessary cases. The supply of eggs fluctuates, but the overall consumption for last year worked out at 65 eggs per patient per annum During this period some eggs from Seacliff’s farm were supplied to another mental hospital, and some were sold to the public. I have directed that in the meantime no more be sold and that any surplus be used in the hospital. Plans Being Prepared bDr Brown, the medical superintendent, and his staff are, I consider, doing a splendid job under most trying conditions. I frequently receive letters from the patients (many of whom are, of course, quite rational most of the time) expressing high appreciation of the attitude 'of doctors, attendants, and nurses alike. I welcome the suggestions they have to make, and often find them of real value. The physical conditions are, however, such that it is impossible to avoid all cause for complaint, and the Government has now decided to transfer the whole institution to a new location. “After considerable investigation, a site at Cherry Farm, near Waikouaiti, has been decided upon, and plans for a complete new hospital are in course of preparation. This hospital, as in the case of our other modern institutions, will be of the villa type, consisting of a series of comparatively small, well-lighted, and comfortable buildings. Patients accommodated in these can receive individual attention, both dietary and medical, with much greater facility than in the present institution." The Minister had no comment to make publicly on a letter signed “ Dietitian,” which we forwarded to him, except to say that many of the statements in it appeared to be grossly exaggerated.