VPRS 18298 Inspector Generals and Visitor Books

Full description

The Inebriates Act 1904 (Act No. 1940), which governed the care, treatment, and control of Inebriates, directed the Inspector-General and other officials to inspect the premises in which Inebriates were being held. This was carried out in accordance with the instructions governing the Inspector-General's duties in the Lunacy Act 1903 (Act No. 1873) and later Acts.

The Inspector-General and Official Visitors (appointed by Governor-in-Council) were to visit every asylum once every 3 months. They were to inspect every part of the building and grounds; every patient and to inquire whether any patient was under restraint or in seclusion and if so why; the registers of patients, and the order and certificates for the reception of every patient who had been admitted since the last visit. On inspection they were to enter in the "Inspector-General's and Visitors Book" a memo of the condition of the hospital and patients, the number of patients under restraint or seclusion and the reasons for that treatment, and was to specify any irregularities in any order or certificates.

Under the provisions of the Lunacy Act 1915 (Act No. 2687) the Governor-in-Council was to appoint not less than two Justices to be Official Visitors to visit the metropolitan hospitals and not less than two Justices to be Official Visitors for each of the country hospitals. The Official Visitors were to be accompanied by the Inspector-General of the Insane.