Patients Leave, Promise to Return

Hospital staff strived to give patients as much freedom as possible. In 1898, the medical superintendent wrote, “The privilege of going about the grounds unattended has been accorded to a large number of the inmates, while a few have been allowed to go alone to the city. These favors have been granted on a simple promise not to leave the grounds, or to return to the Hospital at a certain time, and in only four instances has the parole been broken. Far better to run the risk of an occasional escape than to restrict the freedom of patients. The sense of being trusted is of incalculable benefit to most of them, and there are not a few unpromising cases in which the beginning of recovery can be directly traced to an acceptance of their word of honor.”

52.75 Percent Discharge Rate: 1890-1900

In 1900, the medical superintendent wrote, “During the past ten years, 40 percent of those admitted to the hospital for treatment have been discharged, cured, and are able to again take their places in the battle of life. [Others]…while not fully recovered, are able…to resume their places in the family circle. “These two classes combine to make the total discharge rate [of] no less than 52.75 percent.”

Given the lack of treatments, money problems, overcrowding and understaffing of the early Hospital, this relatively high discharge rate is a tribute to the professionalism, patience and determination of our early staff.

Until 1963, all patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Quebec were assumed to be incompetent to manage their affairs. The law was then changed to ensure that all patient admitted were considered competent, unless medical staff certified them otherwise.