MENTAL HOSPITALS

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 15, 3 October 1929, Page 5

MENTAL HOSPITALS

VILLA SYSTEM STARTED PATIENTS BEING CLASSIFIED Discussion in- the House of Representatives yesterday revealed that the Mental Hospital Department has the promotnon of the villa system of caring for patients in hand. WELLINGTON, Oct. 2. Tho House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The report on the mental hospitals of the Dominion was submitted for consideration. Hon. J. A. Young inquired what progress had been made with the villa. system instituted by the xormer Government in connection with mental patients. He trusted that every facility would be given to properly classify patients, having good prospects of recovery. Mr P. Eraser stated that the intentions of .the Mental Hospital Department were above reproach, and it was desirable that the Minister of Finance should be liberal so chat greatly-need-ed reforms could proceed. The Governxnent’s legislation provided for elderly people in additional institutions, and would make for great improvement, on which tho, Government snould be congratulated; Mr Lysnar stressed the need for reorganisation of the whole system of admission to mental hospitals, and ’ stated thyt if English methods were adopted it would be found there would be a considerable redaction in the number of patients. The Hon, A. J. Stfilworthy, replying to the points raised, stated that no Psychopathic wards had yet been opened, but negotiations were proceeding with the hospital boards in the four main centres, and he hoped that some progress would be made. He w'aa satisfied that they would bo of great advantage in incipient mental cases. The Minister stated that the task of classification of patients was being proceeded with as rapidly as possible. In regard to tho villa system, he stated that the villas to be opened next month would relieve the Porirua Mental Hospital of 150 patients. Plans were also in progress for the erection of two additional villas. There was no doubt' that the rest homes for elderly people.' would also give a great deal of relief to overcrowded institutions, and would provide more congenial accommodation for the class of people they were designed to serve. Mr Stallworthy assured Mr Lysnar that he had closely followed the points raised by the member for Gisborne, and had boon prosecuting inquiries along the lines of comparison of the two systems.