View report page

90
Occupational therapy aims at keeping the mental attitude of
these patients favourably influenced, and provides a means
whereby they may escape from the boredom of inactivity and
depression.
The average attendance throughout the year was 8.
Consequent upon the following report submitted by Dr.
Crawford, classes were instituted at Harts Sanatorium in October,
1936.
"As a matter of policy, the institution of well-recognised
and accepted forms of therapy is advisable in the best interests
of the patients and of the sanatorium. Therapeutic work, such
as gardening, wood sawing and light domestic work, is employed
for those whose physical conditions enable them to benefit from
it. For patients unable to perform heavy work, the teaching of
the arts of basket and rug-making and other forms of such work
enable them not only to direct their minds and energies in useful
channels while in the institutions, but in the case of a number
of patients permit them to acquire interests which can be maintained
in their own homes. It would be unwise to minimise the
difficulties which may arise, such as inertia of some patients, and
the dislike of some male patients for such forms of work, but
in time the scheme should grow to acquire a real significance for
good in the work of the sanatorium."
It is hoped that the interest of patients in occupational
therapy will be maintained upon discharge from the Sanatorium,
and that the attendances at the Chest Clinic will be thereby augmented.
The handicrafts class at the Clinic is open to inspection any
Wednesday afternoon. Interested visitors will be welcomed by
Miss Ross-Smith, the Occupational Therapist. A Sale of Work
of articles made by patients at the Tuberculosis and Chest Clinic
was held in December, 1936, and was eminently successful.