Chelmsford Royal Commission

Chelmsford Royal Commission is a significant event in the history of psychiatry and mental health in Australia. The commission was established in 1961 and named after its chairman, Sir Maurice Chelmsford. The commission's findings and recommendations led to significant changes in the treatment and care of mental illness in Australia.

Background

The Chelmsford Royal Commission was established in response to public concern about the treatment of patients at Chelmsford Private Hospital in Sydney. The hospital was under the direction of Dr. Harry Bailey, a psychiatrist who used deep sleep therapy (DST) as a treatment for various mental illnesses. DST involved putting patients into a drug-induced coma for up to two weeks, during which they would also receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Findings

The commission found that DST was not a safe or effective treatment for mental illness. It also found that Dr. Bailey had been negligent in his care of patients, leading to a number of deaths. The commission's findings led to a ban on DST in Australia and significant changes in the regulation and oversight of psychiatric treatment.

Impact

The Chelmsford Royal Commission had a profound impact on mental health care in Australia. It led to increased scrutiny of psychiatric practices and a shift towards more humane and evidence-based treatments. The commission's findings also contributed to a broader societal shift in attitudes towards mental illness and the rights of patients.

See also

• History of psychiatry
• Mental health in Australia
• Deep sleep therapy
• Electroconvulsive therapy