MENTAL HOSPITALS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1931, Page 8

MENTAL HOSPITALS

■REPORT OF DIRECTOR. INSTITUTION FOR SOUTH ISLAND. " WELLINGTON, July 29. Tiie shortage of accomnioda i ion in nuntal hosp.tals is demonstrated in the annual report of the Deparm-nt. the average numoer of patients timing the year was 5932, including oo<£ males and 25tX) females, 'Showing an increase of 336. Additional accommodation was made available for 300 patients, but there arc 748 in excess of the proper accommodation. The Director-General, discussing extensions, states ; “It has been the policy of the Department to ado to the existing larger institutions to avoid immediate capital expenditure for land. The policy has been adopted for some time of erecting villas at the smaller institutions, such as Hokitika and Waitati, and transferring patients to them from the larger, overcrowded hospitals. This policy is a sound one from an economic as well as from an adminstrative point of view, but it is limited by the small amount of land available at the lesser places as well as by the number of patients whose relatives are agreeable to such transfers. Overcrowding at Auckland should be gradually overcome by the completion of villas at Kingseat, the new hospital near Papakura; and ,1 would strongly urge that a similar policy be carried out in connection with Porirua.

AN OPPORTUNE TIME. “As J have pointed out, a great amount of preliminary work has to be done before any estate purchased can be put into effective occupation by patients. So far as the cost is concerned, the present time would be a very opportune one to purchase. So far as tile South Island is concerned, both Seacliff and Christchurch are taxed for room and an estate for the erection of a new institution should be acquired about half-wav between the main cities.

PROGRESSIVE HA V D’('\P. "Provision during recent years of admission cottages, neuropathic units, detached villas and the modernisation generally of our mental hospitals, have gamed for us the confidence and co-operation of the public of New Zealand. In mv opinion,’’ adds the Director-General's report, “there is not a better system anywhere in the world, but a progressively increasing handicap is imposed upon us by lack of accommodation, which is tending’to prevent full advantage bc'ittg taken of our resources. Unless the rate of building is accelerated our classification system is likely to be thrown out. of gear at no distant date.”