From the New Zealand Medical Association, Wellington 12.2.74.

Staffing situation at Porirua Mental Hospital, The following is an excerpt from the minutes of the Wellington Hospital Staff Meeting in December.

'Medical Staffing'

Porirua Hospital:

Dr John Hall spoke of the staffing situation it [unclear: at] the hospital and stated that at the present time there were five whole-time doctors and visiting staff to two whole-time equivalents. He himself at the present time (3/10ths) is the only member of the staff who is a specialist in psychiatry. He stated that this staffing situation was not new in that gross under-staffing had been a feature for many years. There was a need for doctors at all levels at the hospital to give satisfactory care. At the present time [unclear: hese] low levels of staffing are a deterrent for other medical staff to join the hospital. Those working there were struggling against odds and it would be hard to improve the situation.

Dr McLachlan commented on the urgent [unclear: teed] for organising an active teaching programme for those working there and this may attract further staff. He stated that the College of Psychiatry was concerned at the level of staffing. Medical members of the Psychiatric Unit at Wellington Hospital would be prepared to assist but this would deplete the Unit and its function may be impaired unless appropriate adjustments to the establishment were made. This Unit must not be allowed to run down in helping others as it would lose its ability to offer effective medical training.

Mr Elliott stated that he hoped to meet the junior staff of this hospital with a view that some may see merit in doing one of their runs at Porirua Hospital. A further suggestion was that future appointments of psychiatric staff should not be to a specific hospital but should be to the Board's institutions. Of course, there is the international problem of a gross shortage of psychiatrists. By W.H.O. standards, Porirua Hospital should have 22 medical specialists.

It was moved by Dr I.A.M. Prior, seconded by Dr J.B. Mackay, "that the members of this association view with concern the staffing position at Porirua Hospital and that an active programme to improve the situation should be implemented."

This scandalous neglect of patients in Porirua has gone on for many years. The present Government dissolved the inquiry into psychiatric services because they had a better plan of their own for immediate action. One year later, things are worse than ever.