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SUNNYSIDE HOSPITAL Dr. McKillop reports : I have the honour to forward my report for the year ended 31st December, 1947. The total number of committed patients under care was 1,710 (858 men, 852 women). Two hundred and forty-three patients (114 men, 129 women) were admitted and 6 men and 25 women were transferred from other institutions. One hundred and fifty-five patients (76 men, 79 women) were discharged and 48 patients were transferred, leaving 1,424 patients (736 men, 688 women), inclusive of 83 men and 87 women absent on probation, receiving treatment at the end of the year. Eleven patients were admitted on remand for observation and 4 were committed, but the others were discharged after a short period of treatment. Almost 40 per cent, of our total admissions applied voluntarily for treatment —138 patients (59 men, 79 women) came here under this section. Sixty-three men and 71 women were discharged, 3 men and 1 woman were committed as ordinary patients, and 1 man and 4 women died. Seventy-five voluntary boarders were receiving treatment on the 31st December, 1947. The general health of the patients has been very satisfactory. There were 83 deaths (40 men, 43 women),, most of the deaths being due to senile causes. We have at present almost three hundred patients over sixty years of age, and there is an increasing admission of senile cases, probably due to the difficulty of getting efficient help in the bome to look after such cases. Electric-shock therapy continues to give favourable results—l 34 patients were treated during the year, and 100 were discharged fit to resume their ordinary duties. The addition of extra occupational officers has enabled this branch of therapy to be greatly extended. Work is now carried out in several of the wards and in the new occupational block. The supply of material has improved. The difficulty in getting material has hampered not only our maintenance work, but also major works in the course of construction —e.g., the nurses' sick-room and the extensions to the nurses' dining-room. The additions to the office and the new granary at Templeton have been completed. The programme of building for 1948 includes a tuberculosis block, female villa, nurses' home (Templeton), and an admission block. Approval has been given to refurnish many of the wards in the old building, and this is now being done. Clinics have been held at Timaru and Christchurch Hospitals and the attendances have been well maintained. The farm and gardens have had a successful year and the supply of milk and vegetables has considerably improved. The recreation of the patients has been carried out on the usual lines : the new asphalt tennis-court has been completed, and it is hoped during 1948 to have the bowlinggreen relaid and extended to full size. I wish specially to thank the National Council of Women, the Mental Welfare Society, the Justices of the Peace Association, the Presbyterian Social Service Association., and many private individuals who have done so much to help our inmates. The Official Visitors and the chaplains of various denominations have paid regular visits and have taken a keen interest in the progress of the institution. We are fortunate in having a full male staff, but our nurses have had another very trying year. They have carried out their extra duties willingly and efficiently. To the staff generally I tender my thanks for their loyal co-operation and assistance.

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