The Northumberland County Lunatic Asylum first admitted patients on 16 March 1859. It was the duty of the Superintendent to issue an annual report where he would reflect on both the positive and negative aspects of the year. The first report was written by Superintendent Richard Wilson and was dated 1 January 1860.
Mr Wilson stated that the report would embrace the conditions of the asylum and its inmates, their employment, means of recreation and their general state of health. He was happy to be able to speak favourably of the asylum considering that it was still not fully operational and that many of the attendants had yet to be taught their duties. At the time the report was written, 154 patients had been admitted. This consisted of 81 men and 73 women. Of these, 106 were transferred from other areas including asylums in Durham, Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Although there were some difficulties admitting the transfers due to the lack of a proper entrance road, there was minimum disruption to patients due to the professionalism of the staff. Most of the cases transferred were long stay patients and many of an advanced age. This concerned Mr Wilson as he believed it gave him little hope of doing any great good. He did however feel that he had achieved something in relation to the use of restraints as no restraints were used on patients during 1859. Some force was needed on occasions but only a small number of patients were placed in seclusion (forcibly placed in a locked room for a period of time). In general, the bodily health of the patients was classed as good.
As regards the general design of the building, it was found to be, with the exception of a few slight alterations, to answer satisfactorily. The Superintendent was rejoiced to find that the upper floors were devoted only to bedrooms, the patients living entirely below. This ensured much better supervision of patients during the day and more perfect ventilation of the dormitories. He was also pleased that open fireplaces were adopted giving a much more cheerful and homely aspect to the wards as well as affording more warmth than the old plan of heating by hot water would have done.
Mr Wilson was a strong advocate of employment as a mean of ‘cure-occupying’. He believed it gave patients a focus while at the same time, it was conducive to their bodily health. The men were chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits and were also employed to assist with creating the approach road to the asylum. A few were also engaged in tailoring and shoemaking. Full employment was likewise given to the women in the washhouse, laundry, kitchen and sewing room. During the summer season they participated in hay making. Patients with suicidal tendencies were kept away from machinery but others were trusted and no accidents occurred. Patients who worked as mowers and reapers pursued their work with little or no supervision and would rise as early as early as 4am.
Considering that there was no boundary wall or protection of any kind to the grounds of the asylum (nearly 100 acres) escapes on the part of the patients very rarely occurred; and those who had escaped were quickly recaptured. One case noted was that of a man who in the past had been confined in the Morpeth County Gaol for poaching. One day he suddenly recollected that his gun was in pawn and that the time for it being redeemed was drawing near. He escaped in order to acquaint his brother with that fact and then returned to the asylum by himself the same day just in time for tea!
The full service of the Church of England was performed twice every Sunday and the marked attention of the patients testified to their appreciation of the services of the Chaplain – Rev. Thomas Finch. Mr Wilson praised the Chaplain and claimed he seconded his endeavours in every way to improve the mental condition of the patients. The Matron kindly presided at the Harmonium so everybody could sing accompanied by music. The presence of friends and neighbours was also encouraged in the hope of overcoming any prejudices, as well as to remove any impression on the part of the patients, that the service was confined solely to themselves.
In relation to recreation, cards, draughts, dominoes and quoits were provided together with a stock of useful and entertaining books. Various periodicals and newspapers were likewise freely distributed throughout the wards. Almost since the opening there was a weekly dance in which many of the inhabitants of the town also took part. Mr Wilson believed that this had been extremely beneficial to the patients. In addition to exercise it also acted as a means of control, a mode of bestowing reward or punishment by giving or withholding permission to attend it, according to their behaviour during the week. Yet again though, it allowed patients to mix freely with people who lived outside the asylum environment.
QAL