Mental Hospitals

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume VIII, Issue 3, 1 July 1925, Page 139

Mental Hospitals

The following scheme for the improvement of the Mental Hospitals of the Dominion should be of interest to trained nurses who, it is hoped, may more frequently than at present take up that important work of caring for the mentally afflicted. Nurses trained in the mental hospitals frequently go on to the general hospitals, but it is not often that general trained nurses go on to gain experience in mental hospitals, and they thus overlook a very great sphere of usefulness and interest. It is more and more recognised in these times that mental trouble is sickness in the same way as physical trouble and the brain needs skilful nursing and care just as much if not more than the body. "Reorganisation of the treatment and administration of mental hospitals is notified by the Minister of Health (Sir Maui Pomare), following a comprehensive inspection. The new policy, which is supported by Cabinet subsidy where necessary, comprises the establishment of mental clinics at general hospitals, setting up small, home-like lodges, a specialised diet, and acquisition of property for sanatoria. Sir Truby King has been given practically a free hand to carry out the whole of the programme. The Minister, in a lengthy statement, outlines as under the action the Government proposes to take : — (a) To promote prompt recognition of serious mental affections, and to encourage the adoption of suitable treatment in the early stages. (b) To ensure the provision and use of improved methods of handling and dealing with mental patients prior to and at the time of committal as insane, and to abolish temporary lodgment in prison pending decision. (c) To ensure the provision and better use of facilities for classification, care, and treatment, especially in the case of the more recent, impressionable, sensitive, and curable patients. (d) To improve provisions in the way of kitchens, laundries, etc.

(e) To remove overcrowding. (f) To correct any outstanding defects of sanitation and ventilation. Salient features of the Minister's statement are : — Clinics will be established at the general hospitals and conducted by two medical men, one drawn from the general hospital and one from the mental hospital. It is intended that such clinics, to be known as 'clinics for nervous affections,' shall be held weekly — without any implication of insanity, mental breakdown, or so-called ' border-line' trouble. Arrangements are under way for the pro vision of suitable rooms in general hospitals where mental patients can be properly cared for, pending medico-legal examination until their transfer to a mental hospital, if committed as insane, instead of their being kept temporarily in police quarters. In order to facilitate the provision and equipment of three bedroom in each of the four centres, Cabinet has voted a sum of £2,000 — £500 for each of the general hospitals. In addition to such cottages or small villas as may now exist on the mental hospital estates, we are providing small, private, comfortable home-like, and attractive buildings, capable of accommodating not more than twelve men or women, as the case may be, on a sanatorium basis. A professional dietitian (a lady) has been appointed by the Mental Hospitals Department to organise, supervise, and direct, in conjunction with the Inspector(leneral and the local medical superintendent, the feeding arrangements of all mental patients.

As the removal of septic foci in the mouth is an important matter in connection with the treatment of mental diseases, a dental surgeon has been appointed to the Department.

Substantial provision has already been made by Cabinet for sanitary and other improvements, which are now under way, in connection with existing premises, for

the erection of new buildings, and also for the acquisition of properties needed for carrying out the Department's intentions in regard to sanatoria, etc. In connection with the further organisation and development of the mental hos-

pital service, a number of transfers have been effected, and in order to strengthen the medical staff the services of two wellknown mental hospital physicians are being procured from the Old Country."—from "The Dominion."