MENTAL HOSPITALS CONTROL

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 45, 16 November 1937, Page 3

MENTAL HOSPITALS CONTROL

-Pregi Association.)

House Debates Departmental Report

CURING OVERCROWDING

(By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, LaSt Night. In the House to-day a number of departmental reports were discussed. On the report of the Director-Genernl of Mental Hospitals, Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Riccarton — Opposition) drew attention to the legal injustices which were sometimes inflicted... on patients who wero discharged from mental instilutions on prpbation. He thought tho position might be inquired into by the Minister with a view to rectiiication. Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs — Opp.) supported Mr. Kyle's view that some inquiry should be made into tho matter. He also referred to the question of the alleged ill-treatment Df a patient at a mental institution svhen a f emale patient suffered two black eyes which, she stated, had been inflicted by a female attendant. The Minister of Health (Hon. P. Fraser) : If the honourable member will give me the names and circumstances an inquiry will be made. Mr. Wright: I believe an inquiry has already been made and it was stated that the injury had been caused by a f all. He ' added that he knew state* ments of this uature by patients should be treated with a good deal of caution. However, he promised to give ' the Minister the names and details of the case he had mentioned, privately. Hon. P. Fraser (Minister in Charge of Mental Hospitals) stated that there was not a wide difference between public hospitals and mental hospitals. Both types cared for smffering, one for the physical sufferer and the other for the mental sufferer. He agreed with the suggestion that. the years of depression must have affected the mental stability of many people and stated that the part played by heredity was another big problem in the incidence of mental cases.; One of the most pleasing features of the 'report was the effort made to' bvercome to some extent the lamentable overcrowding of mental hospitals that had existed for many years. Mr. Fraser appealed for the co-operation not only of members of Parliament but of the community in bringing about tho best possible conditions for mental patients, and he asked the House to support the Government in its expenditure of money for the purpose of dealing with tho incidence of goitre among mental hospital patients.. The Minister referred to.the research work being carried out and the use of iodised salt j'only at mental institutions as an example to the. community. He hoped ■further investigation would be made since it would be a valuable contribution to the solution of the problem. Speaking of patients on probation Mr. Fraser said when patients went on ;probation their friends wero informed when they went out that if they got a certificate from a doctor that they had completely recovered that certiiicato would be accepted and they would be marked off as recovered. Public opinion had been xesponsible in the past for the idea that a person who had been in' a mental hospital had something to be ashamed oL In his opinion that was utter nonsehse. It was highly desirable that people who had recovered should be written- off. Consideration , would be given to seeing if some mQrev efflcient system than thc present could ■be evolved, 9 T^e report was referred to the Government for consideration as were several other reports and the Houso 'rose at 5.30.