Psychiatric hospitals were places of fear, panel told

Psychiatric hospitals in the 1960s and 70s were places of fear for many patients, a panel set up to hear complaints from former inmates has told the Government.

Beatings, sexual attacks and treatment without consent are among accounts the panel has heard.

It was set up by the Government in late 2004 when former patients began to demand compensation, and is about halfway through its investigation.

National Radio, which has obtained the panel's reports under the Official Information Act, reported today many former patients had spoken about the misuse of authority, sexual misconduct and failure to obtain consent for treatments like electro-convulsive therapy.

The panel was set up by former attorney-general Margaret Wilson as a confidential forum where former patients could talk about what happened to them, and offer them advice about compensation.

Its chairman is former District Court Judge Anand Satyanand, who said today conditions in hospitals 20 or 30 years ago were very different.

"Physical surroundings weren't as good as they are today. Discussions with patients about treatments were not carried out as they are today," he told National Radio.

"Certain treatments, such as ECT (electro-convulsive therapy, or shock treatment) and medications with huge side effects remain for some people significant issues."

Judge Satyanand said the challenge for the panel was to try to help each of the former patients deal with their problems.

For some, that would involved talking to counsellors, for others it could be opening the way for an ACC claim or laying a complaint with the police.

The panel expects to issue its final report later this year.

- NZPA