WHITBY FREE F PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9,1977, PAGE 15 says report byDürharn West MPP Hospital highest priority for rebuildingand rehabilitation which were in the hospital. To carry out effective emer- gency resuscitation would require training programmes and refresher programmes which would bite deeply into the little time which is avail- able at present for normal nursing care. The inquest pointed out clearly that the inservice training programme, which could be expected in a normal institution, was far below adequate. HoWever, the coroner' s jury did not investigate the desperate staffing situation which holds at the hospital. In addition, no consideration was given to preventative measures in order to make suicide more difficult. The case in question had used exposed water pipes in the shower room (a common room used by all patients) as a scaffold. But an order to change this open invitation was not given. Indeed structural changes would be simply stop-gap measures to help the Whitby Psychiatric Hospital. Some- thing far more definitive and wide-reaching is required. In spite of all of these problems, the morale of the staff is good, but there is a high turnover of personnel. Comments have been received from staff who have left the institution pointing out the demoralization that comes with lack of equipment, lack of space and lack of the ability to put on an organized programme. In spite of this, magnificent work is being done in a few cases. This good work, however, has received mninium support from the town of Whitby. An attempt to set up a drop-in centre at Whitby at the 4 Corners fell through because there was "inadequate fire protection". There is a strong suspicion that the town simply did not want the patients at that site. In addition to the deplora- ble physical conditions, Whitby Psychiatric Hospital suffers from lack of purpose. Mr. Sheehan, in stating he will take all comers is exposing the hospital to many dangers. There is no doubt that this hospital has lost its direction, and in accepting all patients does a dis-service to those patients who are already in hospital. On January 10, 1977, Mr. F. Miller, Minister of Health indicated that he has request- ed Whitby to commence master programming with a view to clarifying its role. Church School and Infant Care worship. 668-3091 Unless he can set out some guidelines, indicating the type of replacements he is prepared to make and the type of budget which is going- to be available, this will prove to be an exercise in desperation. It is depressing to consider some of the psychiatric units in active treatment hospitals particularly in downtown The first event to transpire since the last Anderson column was the Anderson Annual Christmas Wrestling Tournament, held on Dec. 22. The Anderson wrestlers won the trophy, but along with their supporters, were saddened by the retirement of Perry Adebar who had achieved a no loss record in the unlimited weight class. With 1976 behind, Anderson kicked off the New Year with a new Monday inorning feature called the "Anderson Flashback". The vice-president of dur student council, Bryan Kelling, more known for his basketball skills, read special announce- ments depicting interesting and humorous events from the past. Anderson ias continued its sockhops at noon hours, one every other week. The music ranges from Beatles to disco. The last sockhop was on "Stuffed Animal Day" on Jan. 20. Free admission was given to anyone who brought their favourite stuffed animal to school. These animails included everything from walking birds to little mice to 25-year-old teddy bears. Students and teachers show not only their enthus- iasm for sockhops but aiso to the Anderson red and grey pen. This enthusiasm ias almost sold out the Anderson pen. There are still a few left but they will not last long. On Feb. 4, Anderson had its third dance of the school year. The group "Jude", a three piece band played music by the Beatles, Beach Boys and numerous others. This dance, which was a Valentine Dance, wil hopefully be as successful as the two previous dances thanks to the drive of the dance committee chair- man, Ray Pardon. On Feb. 5 the Great Pine Ridge Region Debating Tour- nament was held at Anderson This event was open to the public and included teams while parents 668-97R7 Toronto, and to compare them with what is offered at the Psychiatric Hospital in Whitby. Elegant waiting rooms, physical facilities and numbers of staff are all well above the idealtin the Toronto Hospitals. Only recently was the Whitby Psychiatric able to get one colour television set for all the patients. from Peterborough, Port Hope and Whitby. The winning team will then proceed to the Ontario Debating Finals in St. Catherines. Once again, here is a re- minder of the Anderson Rugby Club's trip to Ireland in March. Because of the cost of about four hundred dollars for each person, the Club has several fund raising events. Beginning in February, the Club will be raffling a trip for two in Florida for a mere Continuation of the opera- tion of the Whitby Psychiatric in its present manner is simply a prayer for disaster. There is little or no provision for a physical emergency such as a fire in the patients' buildings. There is little or no facility for the staff to improve their morale and knowledge by an intensive in-service programme. Efforts have been made to surmount this, however, lack of fully qualified staff and a separation from first class facilities at the University of Toronto argue against any real developments in this programme. There is no way the hospital can ever catch up and resume its rightful place as a first class mental insti- tution under present condi- tions. The Minister of Health through his Assistant in charge of the mental health programme should mark the Whitby Psychiatric as a hospi- tal of the highest priority in .need of rebuilding, rehabilita- tion and re-alignment of purpose. dollar. Anyone interested in any of- these fund raising events should call 655-3085. W Offices C. 171 King Street East, Oshawa 22 Walton Street. Port Hope chartered accountants B. K. Madgett, c.a. R.W Boler, c.a. Telephones 579-5531 885-2335 .A.D. Se/by, c.a. . Roberts, c.a. C. W. Marlowe, c.a. -I MI What you , don't know may. be costing you money. Pick up a free copy ofour *Ti) RSD brochure at any TD1 Branch. Talk to our stait and find out how vou caI save. March ist. 1977, is the last d'av vou cari qualify for the 1976 tax vear -so sec us right away. TORONTO DOMINION the bank where people make the difference ~.'Y' i ~ VWC' ~ r %~(jt ~I'J;Y3 ~ LI .>~~<- C~rjA'L12) Wl ~'/tQI~ ..'~JA '~ur ~1:iVk' The Anderson Raider: School-events include debates and trip to Ireland Ndb! mYgit bWerte FAMILY WORSHIP 11 a.m. each Sunday ST. MARK'S UNITED CHURCH Centre and Colborne Sts., Whitby INFORMATION 668-3602 7-77, s,ý