|
|
Allegations of Abuse
in Institutions |
|
|
|
|
Former state wards are likely to
be given counselling and support in light of a bleak report into the care of mental
in-patients. About 500 patients who spent time
in state psychiatric institutions from the 1940s until 1992 have told their
stories to a confidential forum set up by the Government three years ago. The report was issued on Thursday.
It details humiliation, beatings, over-medication and rape in environments of
hopelessness and fear. Most were at places such as Kingseat and Cherry Farm,
and had no choice over their admission or treatment. So far the Government is refusing
to apologise or provide compensation. However, the Minister of Health
Pete Hodgson says the Government is likely to extend counselling and other
back-up services. The Mental Health Foundation says
rigorous monitoring of the mental health sector must continue. Mental Health Foundation chief
executive Judi Clements says the forum's report is a reminder of the problems
caused by big institutions. She says people still report
negative experiences of the mental health system so there needs to be
continued scrutiny of its services; in addition, care needs to be taken that
small institutions don't develop within community care. No change A former psychiatric patient says
an apology won't achieve anything. Margaret Parry, a patient at
|
