Annual report for the year 1953 / North Wales Mental Hospital Management Committee.

  • North Wales Mental Hospital Management Committee.
Date:
[1954?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Annual report for the year 1953 / North Wales Mental Hospital Management Committee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    11/68 (page 9)
    Fifth Annual Report of the North Wales Mental Hospital Management Committee for the year 1953 The Committee have pleasure in presenting their Annual Report for the year ended 31st December, 1953, in respect of the hospitals and institutions for which the Committee are responsible, the group consisting of the following :— North Wales Hospital for Nervous and Mental Disorders, Denbigh .1414 beds Pool Park, Ruthin . 100 ,, Coed Du M.D. Institution, Rhydymwyn ... 86 ,, Broughton M.D. Institution, Near Chester . 70 ,, Llwyn View M.D. Institution, Dolgelley . 68 ,, Garth Angharad Ml.D. Institution, Near Dolgelley . 62 ,, Steady progress has been maintained in improving the facilities and general equipment of all the institutions from tihe limited funds available and, although no major schemes have been included in the year’s programme, the Management Committee are grateful to the Welsh Regional Hospital Board for the ready assistance, financial and otherwise, that has made possible much progress both as regards fulfilment of a number of minor capital schemes and improvement in furnishing and equipment. It has been contended by the Committee, and supported by the statistical data available, that the Mental Hospital has, in the past, been run on economical lines and that the general standard, as compared with that of other similar hospitals, could well be raised. Here again, the Regional Hospital Board have assisted the Committee whenever possible by authorising the appointment of additional staff in the departments where they have satisfied themselves that the existing strength of staff was insufficient to provide an adequate service. It has not been possible to increase the number of beds available during the year but the Committee are very pleased to hear that the Regional Hospital Board are well advanced in their negotiations for the acquisition of Oakwood Park Estate, Conway, for the early reception of 175 mental defectives and for future development as a colony for 500 to 600 patients. It is hoped also that the new villa for 50 female patients will be completed next year and relieve the very serious overcrowding at the Mental Hospital. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE At the close of the year the Committee suffered a severe loss by the passing away of Dr. Aneurin. E. Roberts, County Medical Officer of Health for Flintshire, member of the Finance Sub-Committee and Chairman of the Broughton M.D. Institution House Committee. Dr. Roberts had been a most active member of the Committee since the Appointed Day and had placed at the disposal of the Committee a wealth of knowledge and experience in the administration of mental deficiency institutions and the treatment of defectives. As Chairman of the Broughton House Committee, his services had been of inestimable value during the period of transfer of the Institution from the County Council where, as Medical Officer of Health, he had, for many years, been Medical Officer of the Institution.