FORMER CHAPLAIN’S CRITICISM

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 18, 16 October 1943, Page 6

FORMER CHAPLAIN’S CRITICISM

Seacliff Mental Hospital (Bv Telegraph. —Press Association.) 17 k DUNEDIN, October la. Some aspects of the administration of the Seacliff Mental Hospital were criticized by the Rev. J. C. Chisholm, who, till recently, was Presbyterian chaplain. He stated that the quality and service of meals were generally poor. M hen farm worker patients came from their work for tea they received two slices of inchthick bread with a scraping of butter, and a mu- of tea. Once weekly a piece of cheese and jam were served. This was the ordinary meal in all wards except the “cotta-e” and Clifton House. Since rationing was inaugurated there was no af Mr nO Chishoiin asked why patients in a mental hospital should be treated diffel- - from those in a geneial hospital, and why should the patients, and even the nurses in attendance, be denied e n »s when crates of them were dispatched to other places. He was of the opinion that too much authority was centred in an autocratic head office, and until the system was changed it seemed that even the Minister himself was helpless to effect reform. .