NURSING THE SICK IN MIND

New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 312, 15 June 1945, Page 14

NURSING THE SICK IN MIND

A Day At Porirua Mental Hospital

$6 ID you hear about poor old so-and-so? It’s confidential, and Im _ not ‘supposed to tell amybody, but ‘he’s been sent to an asylum!" Spoken with the air of a conspirator who has a choice piece of scandal to impart, the whisperer reflects the prejudicial and totally incorrect attitude of amany of the public towards patients of mental hospitals-hospitals which care, in a modern and expert way, for the sick in mind. That this prejudice should not exist is obvious. The only difference between a general and a mental hospital is that one applies curative measures to the body and the other to the brain-and also the body, if required. Girls in Uniform This is an age of uniforms. Women in large numbers have donned some garb which is a symbol of service. From Waacs to tramguards, V.A.D.’s to postwomen, and ammunition workers to Land Army girls, they put on a uniform for the day’s work. They are seen frequently in city and town streets, but there are other girls in a uniform of pink and white or blue and white who rarely come into the public eye. They are the nurses in the mental hospitals. A staff reporter of The Listener had the interesting experience of being locked up at Porirua the other day. The senior matron did the locking up. And as she opened the door of a ward to let a small party of visitors out, she counted, from force of habit . . . "Four, five, six-yes, I think we’re all here; nobody who should be kept in!" And so we passed from a ward jn which constant observation and attention is necessary to pleasanter places and the freedom of the grounds, and other wards where a remarkable work of curing the mentally sick is being done. That work would progress more rapidly and more efficiently were it not hampered by the lack of staff, the cause of which is chiefly ignorance and prejudice. We talked to the patients, we chatted to the nurses, the sisters, the Medical Superintendent, and the Matron. We were invited to make inquiries. One Big Complaint A first-hand picture of how the waking hours of patients and nurses are occupied was presented. The nurses were quite free to express their views. There was one general complaint-and a strong one: "If only we had a bigger staff it would be better for all concerned. The work is very interesting, but it’s hard as we are placed at present." Not many years ago there was a waiting list of girls keenly anxious to take up psychiatric nursing, That list disappeared, mainly because of the remuneration offered to women in war work and in occupations where vacancies occurred through men going overseas. The normal staff hours at Porirua are 42 a week, with overtime at time and a-half, and double time for Sundays. Some of the girls receive, through overtime, more than the matron, but

she does not mind that. She, too, joins in the cry for more staff. Some of the girls work five days and some eight days before having their day off, whereas, normally, they should have one day off in three, and a month’s furlough in six. Under present conditions that is impossible. Most of them take a philosophic view, but the authorities are afraid that, unle#s the staff is increased considerably and immediately, the nurses will be having breakdowns. Some are working 11 to 13 hours a day and showing the strain. If half-a-dozen go sick, everybody suffers. Compulsory Direction Failed At one time there were various bars to appointment as a mental hospital nurse. Now, the only qualifications are mental suitability and physical fitness. Manpower officers will release a girl from any job she is in at present if she volunteers to take up psychiatric nursing. It has been given the highest priority but is subject to the employer’s appeal. The Manpower Department has found that compulsory direction of girls to mental hospitals is not a success, Some girls can’t adapt themselves and others will not. In the end they prove unsuitable and have been transferred. On the other hand, according to an official, there are girls who entered into the work with enthusiasm and who would now not leave it. They look on it as a humanitarian career, and there is an added attraction in the fact that the status of the mental nurse has been raised until it is looked upon as among the highest in the community service. Porirua Hospital admits more patients than any other mental hospital in New Zealand. It never says: "We are full up and can’t take any more," although the earthquake meant a considerable loss of accommodation. There are, to-day, 1,200 patients (which includes 527 admitted last year). Of these, 154 are voluntary boarders who can leave by giving seven days’ notice. 4 It is not generally realised that the voluntary boarder system is in practice. This means that a man or woman, feeling the stress and strain of everyday life, and suffering a temporary breakdown, may enter the hospital on his own initiative for treatment and rest. Such patients are not held compulsorily, as the unenlightened seem to think. "Has the war meant an increase of patients?" we asked. "No," said the Medical Superinten- dent. The effect of war strain on mentality had been somewhat exaggerated, A man went through a terrific strain for a period, but, generally, when he returned to normal conditions his mental outlook righted itself. "How long have you been working here?" we asked a staff nurse. "Five years, and I like it more than ever. I have no intention of leaving it, -unless I get married." "I’ve been here only five months," another told us, "and though at first «(continued on next page)

(continued from previous page) it was hard going, I made up my mind to try and like it and have succeeded. But it would be great if we had a larger staff and not so much overtime." Another girl, a newcomer, had been a wardsmaid in a provincial general hospital. She was anxious to become a nurse. She answered an advertisement in a newspaper and joined the Porirua staff. "There are so many different types of people here that it is intensely interesting," was her comment. Like others, she was attached to a ward for a month before being counted as a nurse, just to see how she reacted to the conditions and if she would like it. At first she did general work, bathing and sponging and feeding patients unable to look after themselves. According to the custom, she induced some of the healthier patients to do things for themselves, as it is part of the general treatment to keep them occupied. "I hope to make mental nursing my career," said this girl. "At first I thought I would not like to stay here long, but decided that it was only fair to give it.a trial, and here I am, quite happy. Like the others, I only wish we had a bigger staff." A nurse with long experience told us that she now looked back and laughed at her earlier fears. "I really think there is a humanitarian job to be done in a mental hospital. We. get to love many of the patients. Of course they can be trying at times, but so can anybody else. One does not have to be at Porirua to be charming for a while and then unpleasant. I.am going to stick to this job until, if I got the chance, I can become a matron." ; No Need to be Tough -. "Do you need any special strength. for this work?" was another of our questions.

"Do I look tough?" was the reply of a young girl. We agreed that she didn’t. "Some people," she said, "seem to think that a psychiatric nurse depends on a strong arm. That is entirely wrong. A nurse’s best equipment is sympathy and a determination to give every possible assistance in making the patients well and happy and effecting a mental cure. I’ve got a grouch, though, and that is the hours of work. They’re almost more than some of us can stand. Give us more staff and the job would be lovely." Staff shortages as at May 12, 1945, were as follows:Auckland, males 14, females 15; Kingseat, 10 and 5; Tokanui. (including the Chateau), 32 and 14; Porirua, 9 and 30; Nelson, 3 and 18; Hokitika, 0 and 17; ‘Christchurch, 6 and 39; and Seacliff, 28 and 22-a total of 97 males and 160 females. For comparison with salaries paid in other occupations, we: give the salaries of the female nursing »staff:Matrons, Class A: Third year and over, £465; second year, £440; first year, £415 -in each case less £65. for board, etc. Matrons, Class B: Third year, £395;° second year, £375; first year, £355; less £65, Matrons, Class ©: Second year, £330; first year, £315; less £65. Tutor Sisters: Second year, £315; first year, £295; less £65. 5 Sistef#: Second year, £250; first year, £230; less £35. Staff Nurses: £210, less £25. Senior Nurses (by examination): . £200, less £25. ‘7 Junior Nurses (by examination): Second year and over, £180; first year, £170; less £25. ; Nurses: £169, less £25. On all these, ‘cost of living allowances are paid, varying from £18 to £26 per year. The minimum salary for an adult is £175, less deduction for board, or £150..In addition all grades receive free uniforms which are laundered free of charge. Duty to humanity, well and cheerfully done, is one of the’ main foundations of real happiness. Here is a.duty call for any young woman.who is able to join a staff of mental. nurses,