THE ST. JAMES' JOURNAL

THE WINDS OF CHANGE
 
I shall never forget the day I entered the City Mental Hospital to become an attendant. It reminded me of a prison and workhouse combined, the whole place had an atmosphere of gloom and loneliness and hopelessness, and after my first meeting with the 'inmates' I wondered how long I would stay. That was thirty-four years ago!
 
I thought at that time the inscription over the front entrance should have read ' Abandon all hope ye who enter here' instead of '1887'.
 
The wards were dark and gloomy and the inmates just the same, wandering aimlessly about, arguing, sometimes fighting, but generally disinterested in anything. The staff had very little time to help them because they were always cleaning windows and floors, making beds, everything except the job they were employed for. This was the daily routine every day. Up in the morning, breakfast, out into the airing court, round the boundary, in to dinner, out into the airing court, in to tea, then wander about the ward until bed time.
 
The duty hours were 7-6; 9-8; 11-10, no leaving the hospital after 10 p.m., six days per week. Night duty three months 10-7; walk the length of the ward every 15 minutes and turn a key in the clock, six nights per week.
 
A grim monotonous life brightened only by the terrific social and sporting functions of the staff. I have nothing but admiration for my pre-war colleagues who worked terribly hard for improved conditions for the patients with seemingly no rewards.
 
I can remember many admissions but very few discharges. Then came the war and if it didn't do anything for the world, it did for our hospital. I returned after six years service with the R.A.M.C. with great apprehension, but these fears were soon dispelled by the different atmosphere. The patients were nearly all the same, but somehow they were more relaxed and sociable. The staff-patient relationship was better, the patients were getting more freedom and treatment, after a time I knew the bad old days were going.
 
Gradually, down came the high walls, on went the paint, ward furnishings became brighter and doors were opened of permanently locked wards. And now finally we have started integration, and I know this has been achieved by the co-operation of all the grades of staff, and I am sure it will be a great success in the future. My only regret is that I am not just commencing my career in the finest profession in the world, because I know I would do the same things all over again.
 
I never thought I would be in charge of a Female Ward, and now in my 57th year I have been given my greatest boost and thrilled by one of my 'dear old ladies' who said 'Goodnight young man, God bless you', and meant it.
 
Such are the 'Winds of Change' as I see them, and I know that integration with the help of staff and patients alike is the ultimate answer, with improved techniques and drugs, to this very grave problem.
 
May I wish everybody a happy and successful future.
H. PHILBRICK
 
Spring 1968
 

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