Uncovering the Truth
'Historic abuse case'
So what happened?
It all started back in 1997 when a ex patient's brother said to him we need to do something about the terrible things that happened to you in that place. The brother who is a lawyer realized how big of a case he had so he contacted Grant Cameron. There is talk that money was exchanged and Grant brought the case off the brother, the brother knowing its value etc, but I can not be sure of this.
To sum things up in 2001 Helen Clark the then Prime minister apologised, sending a letter to the past patients to say 'sorry'. I must say the letter is pretty pathetic. This was followed by compensation.
Who received payouts? Out of about 300, 150 did. These where ONLY people who where in the adolescent unit during the dates of 1970- 1978, the unit closed in 1978. not all ex patients wanted to be involved in the court case therefore have not received any money.
This is not to say that other patients in Lake Alice during those dates did not receive ECT or where sexually abused. It is very hypocritical of the NZ government to pay out money to patients for a medical treatment that is still practiced today and causes serious long term damage to the muscles and brain while also burns the tissue, that's just to name a few side affects. Guess they don't think so huh!
The government said they first put aside $100 Million for the Lake Alice compensation. when the lawyer Grant Cameron decided to do a out of court settlement with the government this meant the patients would receive less money and lawyers would still cash in large.
Compensation
Patients received different payout amounts. This could have been due to the more time you spent in the hospital or perhaps abuse you where subjected to.
Grant Cameron made over $2 Million for his 'effort' not bad considering he settled out of court so he could get the better deal.
One patient paid fee's of ($52,000) to Grant Cameron and only walked away with ($77,000) thats almost half of his $131,000 compensation in fees!
ECT explained
ECT involves passing an electrical current through the brain for a short period of time over several sessions. It sends the patient into convulsions and muscle relaxants are often administered prior to treatment.
Originally developed as a treatment for schizophrenia in 1938, ECT was found to be ineffective in reducing psychotic symptoms. It is now used exclusively as a treatment for severe depression for which it has been found to be effective, and is usually only administered when drug treatment has failed.
The exact mode of action of ECT is uncertain. However, the most plausible account of ECT's effectiveness is that it produces various biochemical changes in the brain, which are greater than those produced by anti-depressant drugs. Since many physiological changes occur when ECT is administered it is difficult to establish which of these are significant. It is likely that the neurotransmitters noradrenaline and adrenaline are affected as research indicates these are strongly implicated in the disorder.
Source: Making the Modern World UK
The New Zealand Ministry of Healths website defines Electroconvulsive therapy as:
There ''Independent review'' of ECT:
The independent review of the medical evidence for ECT concluded that its use is appropriate for treating some serious mental disorders, and banning its use would deprive some seriously ill patients of a potentially effective and sometimes lifesaving means of treatment. The review group considered the current regulatory controls for ECT needed to change. They recommend that where possible ECT use should only be administered with the patient’s consent, noting that patients should be able to refuse treatment in advance when regarded as competent to make this decision.
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Government abandonment against appeals decision on Patients case |
Check out the relating document below which helped Paul win his withheld compensation in court.  |
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Letters from the Government
Since Nationals win in Government we have asked for there response on the compensation and justice. National has sent the letter below to us, not very promising. December 09 update.
 Click on me
Wow this one took me by surprise, a letter of recommendation from MP Tau Henare Chairman of Maori affairs select committee. Pledging his support for the government to get the Lake Alice case sorted. Sadly Jonathan Coleman the Feigning man he is present's yet another repetitive response have you no shame Coleman? I have been given Mr Henares letter to government and there response so take a look below it just shows how easily in this country politics sweep things under the rug, to deal with the Lake Alice claims would mean that they were WRONG and there are abusive people who still work or worked within our health system. Shame on you Coleman for using LA!   Letters from the Government
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Compensation Links... |
Please note those opinions expressed on Lakealicehospital.com are not those of the Ministry of Health or the New Zealand government.