MENTAL HOSPITAL

Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1929, Page 8

MENTAL HOSPITAL

DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT. WELLINGTON, August 29. 1 The Annual report for the Mental Hospitals Department, presented to Parliament to-day, states that at the conclusion of the year 6160 people were under care and treatment in the institutions, of whom 5902 were detained under a Magistrate’s reception order, and. 258 were. admitted 'as voluntary hoarders. The number of voluntary boarders increased by 197, or 21 per cent, of the total admissions, an increase of 13 per cent in the last decade. During the year 439 patients and boarders were discharged as recovered, wliich was 35.9 per cent calculated on the admissions. The clinics for nervous and mental affections, conducted by the Medical Superintendents at the general hospitals in the main centres, continued to carry out a useful function, and the number of those who sought advice and treatment was rapidly increasing, so much so that tTie time was approaching when the number of weekly sessions would have to be increased. The usefulness of the clinics would be greatly enhanced by the setting apart of a ward in each hospital for cases which required a more exhaustive examination than was possible in an outpatient department.