Willard Psychiatric Center Board of Visitors' Reports B1436

Willard Psychiatric Center Board of Visitors' Reports

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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:

The monthly reports of the Board of Visitors of Willard Psychiatric Center consist of superintendent/directors' reports and Board of Visitors meeting minutes. The reports discuss epidemics; patient and staff health; accidents; department reports; statistics related to admissions, deaths, and discharges; staff promotion and activities; and fund allocations. The minutes record each member's observations, inspections, and interviews.

Creator:

Willard Psychiatric Center (N.Y.)

Title:

Board of Visitors' reports

Quantity:

7.4 cubic feet

Inclusive Dates:

1905-1995

Series Number:

B1436

Arrangement

Chronological by date of report.

Scope and Content Note

Earlier Board of Visitors monthly reports consist of original typescript sheets and standard printed forms with typed information. Earlier reports tend to include more statistics and information concerning farm products and activities. Later reports (ca. mid-1980s) are printed rather than typed and sometimes have photocopied newspaper articles concerning Willard State Hospital attached.

Each monthly report is divided into two parts. The first part consists of information submitted by the superintendent (later director) of Willard; the second part consists of the minutes of the monthly Board of Visitors meeting.

Part one of the monthly reports typically opens with a statement on epidemics and general health of patients and employees. Following is a summary of the numbers of admissions, deaths, and discharges. Most categories are broken down by sex and totaled. Also included are numbers of patients in the hospital at Willard at the end of the reporting month; number on leave without consent; number in convalescent care; number in family care; number of patients received by transfer; number on leave; number of vacancies for employees at Willard; and number of vacancies for employees at the Sampson Division. Statements follow for the number of accidents reported to the Department of Mental Hygiene (including number of accidents resulting in fractures); significant promotions of staff; staff attendance at conferences and meetings; and allocations of funds.

Following this general section in the monthly report are summaries by functional units. These include: the Dental Department, the Alcoholic Unit (later renamed Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services and finally phased out of existence by the Board in June 1969), the Intensive Retreatment Unit (or Intensive Treatment of Chronic Patients), Library Services, Mechanical Repairs, Nursing Services, Occupational Therapy Department, Operating Room, Personal Hygiene Department, Physical Therapy Department, Psychology Department, Recreation Department, Rehabilitation Program, the Sheltered Workshop Unit, and the School of Nursing.

Beginning March 1969, the monthly reports contain additional summaries of patient services, activities, statistics, and events from each of the home county units and from units caring for patients out of the hospital district.

Part two of each monthly report consists of the minutes of the Board of Visitors meetings. For early dates the minutes are usually brief, typically consisting of a single typescript page. The bulk of the minutes are reports by each member of his/her observations, inspections, interviews, and related activities; most observations were taken and reported on the day of the monthly meeting, and comment on the general appearances of the patients, grounds and facilities. Added remarks include programs attended and other general information. Signatures of members attending appear on the minutes. A yearly attendance report is attached to the minutes for the last meeting of the calendar year. Minutes for later dates tend to contain more substantive discussion of administrative policy.

B1436-96A: This accretion consists of reports documenting the final meetings of the Willard Psychiatric Center's Board of Visitors. Most of the content of the reports, minutes, and attachments deals with transfer of patients to other facilities; community concerns; staff transfers and layoffs; and other issues related to the final closure of the facility.