Psychiatric Service To Start In City On Monday

Press, Volume C, Issue 29509, 10 May 1961, Page 14

Psychiatric Service To Start In City On Monday

A psychiatric outoatient service will start on Monday at the Christchurch Hospital, when Dr. J. R. E. Dobson begins work as the North Canterbury Hospital Board's first psychiatric specialist. The board hopes to extend the service to psychiatric inpatients soon, and in any case Dr Dobson’s advice will be available where there are psychiatric complications in patients admitted for -ther conditions. Dr Dobson was formerly assistant superintendent of the Ashburn Hall Private Psychiatric Hospital, Dunedin. Christchurch was the last of the four main centres to get a psychiatric outpatient service, the medical super-, intendent-in-chief of the North Canterbury Hospital Board (Dr. T. Morton) said yesterday. “It has long been wanting,” he added. “From his experience and training. Dr. Dobson should be an admirable man to start the service.” Asked if there was a waiting list to see Dr. Dobson, Dr. Morton said no official list was kept, but he understood several persons we-e anxious to consult him. Dr Dobson's office would be in

the outpatient department at the St. Andrew's clinic. Interviews would be by appointment, since psychiatry was time-consuming. Guidance "We do. not yet know quite what form the service will take, as that will depend to a considerable extent on Dr. Dobson's recommendations.” added Dr. Morton. “When he has found his feet, he will guide the board as to what he wants. ‘‘The main part of the service will probably be for outpatients, and it is likely that outpatient clinics will be held on the same lines as those' in other specialties. Probably inpatient beds will also be necessary, and I shall discuss those with Dr. Dobson after he begins work. The problem will be to find the required beds in our present difficulties.” Dr. Morton was not sure what staff Dr. Dobson would need to help him, since this was related to the problem of beds. But he would certainly need a psychiatric social worker, and the board was now looking for one overseas as no suitable applicant had been found in New Zealand.