Report of the Board of Inquiry

royal derwent report 001

 

These are three volumes and form part of the final unpublished report from the Board of Inquiry into the treatment practices at Royal Derwent Hospital and Mill Brook Rise Hospitals. Concluded approximately in 1979 the report heard from a number of parents and witnesses that had issues with the treatment and the duty of care of the hospital staff. Each witness was cross-examined in this formal hearing as were those accused of mistreatment and those that had seniority within the management structure. Some cases were dismissed and some were found to be correct accounts of what had occurred. The document draws heavily from the xerox transcript of evidence given by each participant. The Board had the power to summons witnesses to give evidence and it was clear that this was used to get reluctant witness to be interviewed and cross-examined. While there are many mixed views of the Hospital and it’s care provision throughout it’s life there were many inquiries both formal and in-formal held in the life of the institution.

Susan Piddock is an Australian renowned published author and authority on Australian Asylums and is studying Asylums throughout Australia. She has a keen interest in comparing institutions that started from a Convict past to those that had a free settler past as she believes there are key fundamental differences in the care provided through to the look and feel of the buildings. While that history is being written within academic circles the general history of each institution around Australia is being written, often by ex-staff who have/had a passion for the care provision given to patients who were admitted to institutions such as Royal Derwent Hospital.

One of my questions has always been, who is writing the history? It is often said that the victor writes the history of any human struggle and so that history will reflect one view, one perception of events. Often the patients that attended such institutions could not write the history and still would be limited to do so. This is were these documents come into play because they offer an evidence based and cross examined view of the events, judged by people whom have the qualifications, impartiality and experience to write this part of the history.

Of coarse there has to be a context and the documented witnesses even testify to the hard work and dedication of the majority of staff providing care withing these institutions. Also there needs to be a context of time around these documents, what was acceptable practice at the time and what is now? While many would view these documents as negative, they are part of the history, as mixed as it was. They serve the voiceless patients of this institution and those like it by looking into and investigating complaints, verifying and validating some experience and clearing the institution of any wrong doing in other cases.

Is this only valid for historical institutional settings or is it still valid today? It has become clear that where there are vulnerable people their will be abuse, it is a history that is still repeating it self today as it was in 1979 or 1879 for that matter. Resent cases in the United Kingdom serve as clear examples of abuse to a vulnerable population. So if the majority of people don’t participate in abusing actions or cover ups, why don’t they speak out? It is said that up to 70% of people will not get involved when there is an abuse being perpetrated and most fear in someway for reprisals should they step up to the mark and become that witness. History has also told that this is possible and probable when strong and aggressive personalities are allowed to permeate a care setting.

Undercover Care: The Abuse Exposed was a classic case of a workplace culture that was out of control and dominated by a small number of staff.  Elder Abuse; Panorama BBC was another care provider that was exposed as delivering services that were abusing and less then best practice. Yet in an interview with Doctor Sheridan Forster in 2010 Dr Forster expressed that the best care provider for people with multiple learning disabilities PMLD that she has witnessed was an institution in the Netherlands. Dr Forster is one of Australia’s leading Academics in the support of PMLD here in Australia and has traveled and studied extensively in many countries. So it is not the institution that is abusive but the culture within a workplace/home that leads to less then best practices.

How does a care provider ensure that every step is taken to never expose a vulnerable person to abuse? We have criminal police checks, which most places, if not already mandatory, will have a policy and procedure in place to eliminate potential staff with relevant histories that have been historically exposed. Regular and unannounced visits from family, management and advocates should be welcomed in any care establishment and should be embedded within the culture of the home. A connection between the ever increasing divide of staff and management should be encouraged and employment practices should be reviewed inline with the latest evidence base practice. Strong laws that allow people with disabilities, especially those with intellectual disabilities to participate within the legal system. Whistle blower policy and procedures and independent investigation of suspicions activity and allegations should be funded and available. Support staff should also educate people to communicate about abuse when they recognise it.

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Willow Court Report by Brett Noble, Senior Project Manager.

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Report: 

What has been happening at the site during the last couple of months?

Quite a lot.

As with any project of this nature, a lot of time and energy is being   devoted to planning and detailing the works , which doesn’t immediately translate into visible activity on the site. The Development Application (DA) and heritage permit are now secured.  Tenders and negotiations with contractors for substantial elements of the works are well progressed. Getting the sequence of works right — between conservation, visitor   access and services — has been organised, but is an ongoing   management task.

If you walk past the site along The Avenue today you will see a very active construction site.

Ø  Scaffolding has gone up around The Barracks, in preparation for roof plumbing and painting

Ø  Landscape works have begun in the Barracks forecourt and along the access route to The Avenue

Ø  The Barracks  windows and doors have been uncovered and restored to working order

Ø  The Barracks verandah posts have been repaired and painted and the base rendered in preparation for lime washing

Ø  Work has also begun  inside the south wing of The Barracks.

Ø  Five rooms have been selected to be opened up for visitors.

Ø  A considerable amount of carpentry, masonry and rendering work has  already been completed

Ø  One room has been lime washed

Interior works will be continued, but roofing works will be the priority while scaffolding is up. The scaffolding will be up around The Barracks for about four weeks, and then will be erected around Bronte in  preparation for roofing works there.

Work has also begun on an inventory of artefacts held in storage, supported by an Arts Tasmania grant. The focus of this work is on understanding what has been collected, how to keep it in good condition, and what items will help tell a story for visitors.

We have found some interesting bits and pieces but haven’t yet got to the point of deciding what to do in relation to displays and the like.  Local contractors and specialists from around the state are being used.  It is pretty busy on site at the moment.  We are still looking at an April finish, but it is getting pushed back a bit – these things do take time and there is a lot of work to sequence and get through.  Hopefully we will not get an unexpected holdup.

Thanks

Brett

Brett Noble

Senior Project Manager (Willow Court Project)

For a full overview of the restoration works you can visit our Restoration Page

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ASSID letter to Hon Ray Groom, Minister for Health Tasmania 1988

(ASSID) Australian Society For The Study Of Intellectual Disability is a disability peak body that studies and presents best practice within the Australian Disability Support Industry.

ASID has a clearly stated mission

Mission:

To improve the quality of life for people with an intellectual disability.

Strategic Goals:

The goals of the Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability are:

  • to be an independent authority on intellectual disability issues across Australasia;
  • to forge interaction between intellectual disability research, policy and practice;
  • to lead the development of strategic partnerships;
  • to engage and strengthen membership; and
  • to ensure sound governance.

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ASSID Document

This is the document that was written to the Minister for Health in Tasmania, Mr Ray Groom by the National President of ASSID Australia, Mr Ron Joachim encouraging him to proceed with the de-institutionalisation process of Willow Court Centre and not to fall prey to ideas of community education and understanding which would slow or stop the process. While the impact of the closure was going to be offset by land release and development according to Government papers, the reality of the closure was strongly felt within a close knit community and has left a long lasting and painful memory.

A range of documents are available on the “articles page” to read and study more about Willow Court Centre.

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Willow Court Conservation Special Committee Minutes December 2013

Willow Court Conservation Special Committee Minutes December 2013

The minutes for the December Conservation Special Committee have been released and are here for you to read. There is still no clear direction for the opening date and events after the restoration is complete. A letter was sent to the Project Officer Mr Brett Noble asking for an update, but nothing has been received back yet. While visually we can see some works progressing on the external building we are not sure of any internal works.

wc restoration 13.02.14 001

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Restoration continues

Restoration work is continuing at the Willow Court Site and the preparation below the Barracks veranda is nearing completion, this will enable the foundations to remain dry and protected from excessive damaging moisture. New scaffolding can be seen on the west wing ready for restoration work to begin. The planned completion date has been pushed out to April and possibility May according to reports. Sealasash Window restoration company has posted a number of videos on YouTube about the Willow Court Restoration. I have added one which explains all of their restoration work. This is found on the restoration page, Click Here to view.

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Synopsis of residents, statistics, Willow Court institutional living program 2.8.1988

First time to be publicly released.

This memo records the Examiner News Paper’s letter to the editor by Clarrie Strochnetter, State Secretary, Disabled People International (Tas)  two years after the Tasmanian State Parliament made the formal decision to start the de-institutionalisation process of Willow Court Centre. Clarrie asks what is happening after two years?

Also there is a full break down of staffing numbers both day and night shift and resident numbers for each ward, dated 02.08.1988.

ward stats 1988

 

 

 

 

Click here to view the full Document

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Article from the Sunday Tasmanian 25-10-1987

This dual article writes about Ken and his hopes and dreams of leaving the Willow Court Centre as well as expressing his mixed feelings of leaving his home for the last 13 years. Ken’s journey and experience was not unlike the many residents that started the de-institutionalisation process that took another 13 years to complete.

The second part of this article quotes Royal Derwent Hospital’s Administrator, Mr Grant Lennox announcing that he expected the majority of the Centre’s 300 residents to eventually live in the community houses.

At the time this lead to much anxiety among staff and families who were concerned for their own situations and those of the residents and family members they knew so well.

ken full

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Lyons Candidates

flag tassieTonight I have written to all the known candidates that are standing in the seat of Lyons in the upcoming state election. I hope to have a reply soon to share with all the Willow Court Supporters. This is what I have asked:

Dear Candidate,

As a candidate for the seat of Lyons this coming election we (Willow Court Advocacy Group) would like to know your thoughts or your party’s thoughts on the sensitive redevelopment of the Willow Court Site. We would appreciate if you would take the time to read and respond to our questions. Your response/non response will be published on our website, Facebook group and Facebook page so Willow Court supporters can make valid judgements at the ballot box this March.

 

1. This site is a world heritage site; will you support a listing to protect the social and physical history of the site?

2. Do you support an apology to the previous Residents for the Government policies that separated and denied people with a disability from being able to access their families and communities?

3. Many more dollars are required to fund the restoration of the site, how will you support this and help create jobs in the New Norfolk/Derwent Valley area?

 

Thank you for considering these questions and I hope I can upload your response soon.

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Dignity

Generally staff adopted a non-patronising and courteous manner todignity final

residents. Many were treated in an informal light-hearted manner

and conversations often revealed a deep knowledge and

understanding of the individual resident. Displays of genuine

affection and mutual respect between staff and residents were

frequently observed.

In contrast were the occasions when residents were addressed in a

harsh manner. However, on the occasions observed criticism cannot

be levelled at staff. Residents can be maddening and exasperating·

at times and when coupled with a shortage of staff, situations

arise where in all but the most saintly employees irritability and

short temperedness develop.

 

Ree Pettifer September 1989

Review of clinical nursing practice institutional living program,

Willow Court Centre Report.

 

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