PRISONER PATIENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2674, 21 January 1916, Page 9

PRISONER PATIENTS

OBJECTED TO BY HOSPITAL BOARD. Some little time ago the Wellington Rdspfbal Board wrote to the Minister ;of Public Health (tho Hon. G. W. RusiseU), objecting to the Main Hospital ieing used for the treatment of persons twho had attempted to commit suicide, land yesterday a reply was read from jDr. Valintine, informing the board that the Hospital was by law required for Such cases, and further stating'that the Minister had declined to receive the board's letter, and gave notice that he tonsidered it requisite for the board fo provide for the treatment of attempted suicides and cases of delirium tremens. In the discussion that followed it was out th'at the police had got into file habit of sending "D.T." cases to the Hospital to such an extent that they became a menace to the rest of tho patients. _ The''board, with Dr. Hardwick Smith, had made representations to the Government on this subject, and as a< result of their representations the Government undertook to furnish a portion of the Hospital buildings for the purpose, but that promise had not been carried out.

Ultimately, after some pretty free comment had been mado with respect to the Government's evasion of its liabilities, it was dccided that the secretary should reply to Dr. Valintine in terms of a decision of the Hospital Committee on the matter, to the effcct that if the Government fulfilled its promise to pay over the sum which it was testimated was expended on the Maternity Home, namely £272 65., a suitable place would be provided for the treatment of the cases complained sbout.