FRONTLINE. 19/06/1988

A current affairs programme introduced by Lindsay Perigo. This week’s topics: an investigation into the trial of Titewhai Harawira on charges of assault and threatening to kill a patient at Carrington Hospital; the Report of the Hospital and Related Services Taskforce.

Reporter Terence Taylor looks at the reasons behind setting up a separate Maori unit at Carrington Mental Health Unit, and whether it was inevitable it would lead to conflict and chaos. A Whare Huia was established, a Kohanga Reo for the children of patients and staff, and then the Whare Paia, for potentially dangerous Maori criminals with mental illness. The Whare Paia is a liberal therapeutic community. Alternative communities for the Maori mentally ill are also looked at in Tokaanui, run by Dr Jennifer Rankin and Raglan, run by Eva Rickard.

Interviewees: Sir Frank Rutter, Chairman, Auckland Hospital Board; Titewhai Harawera; Dr John Turbott, Psychiatrist; Dr Fraser McDonald, Psychiatrist; Henare Sutherland, Kaumatua; Pat Keenan, PSA Nurse Rep.; Hiwi Tauroa, former Race Conciliator; Dr Ranginui Walker, Akld District Maori Council; Ross Meurant, National MP; Dr Jennifer Rankin, Psychiatrist; Eva Rickard.

Lindsay Perigo introduces a report on the public hospital system: ‘Unshackling the Hospitals’. Taskforce Chairman Alan Gibbs has been campaigning for the implementation of the report’s recommendations. The report recommends that hospitals compete for funding.

Lindsay Perigo discusses the issues in the studio with Alan Gibbs, Task Force Chairman and Prof. Michael Cooper, Chmn. Otago Hospital Board.