“DESPERATE POSITION”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21112, 4 June 1943, Page 5

“DESPERATE POSITION”

STAFF SITUATION MENTAL HOSPITALS MINISTER’S COMMENT (P.R.) WELLINGTON, May 23. The desperate staff position in all mental hospitals was freely admitted and steps were being taken to have the position rectified by directing suitable persons to the department, stated the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. H. Nordmever. in commenting on the findings of the Seacliff fire commission. When that extra staff was obtained as a .result of the campaign it would be possible to make better provision for night supervision of patients, added the Minister. Mr. Nordmeyer said that the staffing committee recommended by the commission had been appointed and had already presented a report which was at present receiving the Government’s attention. Something must be done to relieve the present overworked staff. Referring to the buildings at Seacliflf, the'Minister said it could not be denied that the ward destroyed was a dangerous fire risk. That danger arose "chiefly' from the fact that it was a two-storeyed building erected in timber about 1908. It did not follow, however, that all wooden buildings were dangerous as mental hospitals. The Government was determined at the earliest possible moment to replace buildings which were dangerous, but it was difficult at present to put those plans into effect owing to war conditions. The main buildings at Porirua, recently badly damaged by earthquake, would be completely replaced by villas and constructed in accordance with the latest scientific and medical knowledge. The possibility of obtaining sufficient equipment to instal modern equipment in all mental Hospitals was being investigated. In the meantime the Department of Works and the chief inspector of fire brigades h-d been asked to arrange for an inspection of and full report on all aspects of fire prevention and fire-fighting' at each mental hospital.