11.—7

1944 NEW ZEALAND

MENTAL HOSPITALS OF THE DOMINION (REPORT ON) FOR 1943

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 78 of the Mental Defectives Act, 1911

The Director-General to the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, Minister in Charge of the Department of Mental Hospitals Wellington, 17th March, 1944. Sir,— I have the honour to present the annual report on mental hospitals for the year ending 31st December, 1943. In accordance with the wartime requirements, I am presenting only those statistical tables which are essential to the continuity of departmental records, but there are certain other matters which require brief mention. Shortage of Staff Arising from wartime conditions, we have experienced a shortage of female staff which has rendered it almost impossible to maintain that high standard of care and supervision which psychiatric patients require. The extra work and the inability to have leave at regular periods have imposed upon our nurses a burden which has taxed their health, their patience, and their loyalty, and I cannot speak too highly of the way in which the big majority have measured up to their duty in this regard. The senior officers, the Matrons, Head Attendants, and others have loyally accepted added anxieties and responsibilities to a degree which merits the highest praise. Service Patients Exaggerated reports are heard occasionally as to the number of servicemen admitted to the mental hospitals suffering from psychiatric disorders. The following table shows the position from the commencement of hostilities until the end of last year : —

These numbers are not high, and no doubt a large percentage of those remaining will have recovered before this report is printed. Appreciation My thanks are due to my medical colleagues, and to Mr. Sinclair, Chief Clerk, and other officers at Head Office, for loyal co-operation and assistance during the present very difficult conditions. T. G. Gray, Director-General. Table VIII. —Showing the Admissions, Discharges, and Deaths from Ist January, 1876, to 31st December, 1943 (excluding Transfers) M. F. T. In hospital, 31st December, 1875 .. .. .. .. 482 254 730 Admissions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 27,003 21,717 48,720 Discharged— M. r. T. 27,485 21,971 49,456 Recovered .. .. .. 9,181 8,421 17,602 Not recovered .. .. 3,199 2,894 6,093 Died .. .. .. .. 10,729 6,910 17,639 — — 23,109 18,225 41,334 Remaining on 31st December, 1943.. .. .. .. 4,376 3,746 8,122

Admitted after Overseas Service. Admitted from Camps, &c., in New Zealand. Admitted .. .. ... .. 110 Admitted .. .. .. 127 Discharged recovered .. .. 49 Discharged recovered .. 59 Discharged not recovered .. .. 13 Discharged not recovered .. .. 17 Died .. .. .. .. .. 2 Died .. .. .. 5 — 64 — 81 Remaining .. .. .. .. 46 Remaining .. .. .. 46