Allegations of Abuse
in Institutions |
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Almost 200 complaints have been
made by people who allege they were abused in mental health hospitals around The hospital closed in 2000-2001,
with its residents resettled into the Nelson community. The former patients who have laid
complaints claim they were victims of sexual and physical abuse by staff
members and were given electric shock therapy as punishment. The nurse aide had alleged
experimentation in electric shock therapy was carried out on patients,
sometimes several times a day, during her time working there. "There is also talk of some
patients being given an electrical leucotomy. We are still getting details
about that but it doesn't sound great." A leucotomy is a surgical
operation on the front lobes of the brain to treat severe psychiatric
illness. Mr Chapman said the woman had a
medical journal and further information about treatments at the hospital
which were to be given to his office for further investigation. Nearly 70
of the nationwide claims have been filed in the High Court, each seeking
compensation of up to $500,000 and exemplary damages approaching $50,000. |