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Dietary, Clothing, and Furnishings The improvements foreshadowed in last year's report have been carried out to an appreciable degree. Much remains to be done and extension of these improvements will be carried out. Already the patients have been benefited in personal comfort, but more important in self-esteem and consequently self-confidence. Psychiatric Social Workers Four female social workers have been appointed and are attached to the hospitals at Auckland, Porirua, Sunnyside, and Seacliff. These officers visit the homes of patients admitted to hospital and form a contact between the patient and his or her home when necessary. They can obtain useful information which can be of benefit in treatment, and when the patient recovers contact can be retained and help given. They are able to give and arrange services for patients which do not and cannot be carried out by nursing staff, and particularly a depleted one. Their usefulness to patients and to the staff generally has been made so obvious in a short time that extension will be made to all hospitals. Building Programme Unfortunately the serious shortage of labour »and materials has continued to prevail during the year. Plans are well advanced for many major works and it is hoped that next year will see many of these under construction. Considerable progress has been made at all institutions towards improving existing conditions for patients and staff. Installation of refrigerators, provision of improved kitchen and ward facilities, extending and improving fire services, &c., have received attention. Alterations, Additions, and Improvements Capital expenditure on new works during the year amounted to £187,022, and the following summary shows the principal items and hospitals at which the expenditure was incurred : (1) Auckland (£1,974). —Alterations to Male 9 Ward have been started. These will provide improved kitchen facilities, store and clinical examination room. Additional tar-sealing of roads has been carried out. (2) Kingseat (£12,977). —Six staff residences have been completed. Refrigerators have been installed in several villas. Additional roading has been tar-sealed. (3) Tokanui (£4,884). —A start has been made on the erection of twenty-one staff residences. A hairdresser's salon and two buildings for occupational therapy have been completed. (4) Lake Alice (£67,749). —Development work of roading, fencing, tree-planting, water-supply, &c., has proceeded, as has the erection of villas. (5) Levin Farm (£2,019). —A large residence has been converted to provide two flats for married staff. Additional laundry equipment has been purchased. Alterations have been made to existing buildings to meet requirements. (6) Porirtia (£61,671). —Two villas have been completed and a third is nearing completion. Laundry machinery is still being installed. A building for occupational therapy has been started. Fire-protection services have been extended and roading has been done. (7) Nelson (£2,190). —Two mattress-sheds have been erected at Ngawhatu villas. Refrigerators have been installed and roading extended.

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