HOSPITAL CONTROL

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 93, 21 April 1933, Page 9

HOSPITAL CONTROL

IS EFFICIENCY OVERDONE?

PATIENTS' INTERESTS FIRST

Quoting Auckland and Wellington statistics, Dr. L. G. Austin, a candidate for the Hospital Board, said that the average stay in the Auckland institution was twenty-four days, while in Wellington it was nineteen. He thought that perhaps patients were being rushed out of Wellington Hospital too soon for efficient cures. Quoting the smaller percentages o£ a list of nutritive foods, and the general absenco of poultry, as compared with the food lists of other hospitals, Dr. Austin was of the opinion that there was a possiblo loss of curative .efficiency iv tho Wellington Hospital in this respect. X-ray costs were far too high there, and there was too much tendency to treat patients as out-patients. Some surgical operations, like appendicitis, he thought, could more frequently be treated immediately, instead of bringing .the patient in and taking him out several times, with the expense to him of several days' stay at a time. . Dealing with the irritations caused the staff by the commission of inquiry, Dr. Austin said that it was most unsettling to the men not to know what was .going on behind the scenes, and they could not concentrate. In his opinion the medical superintendent should be in charge of everything, not .only of the wards, but also of the engineering and kitchen departments, exercising a direct authority, and avoiding delays that were apt to occur without such authority. All reports should go to the medical.superintendent to be embodied in his report. There _ had been a certain amount of friction i« tho honorary staff, there always was where specialisation was concerned, and ono man had been deleted, an event which, in his opinion, had largely led to the inanity. Describing the moves that would be made, he thought that Dr. Eiveii would bear the brunt of it, as he had no senior degree. If they were not satisfied with the conduct of a medical' superintendent, ho should not bo attacked iv the way his enemies; were attacking him now. He objected to the tactics adopted behind a smoke screen. He did not wish to attack anyone, but he thought tho high ideals that - were being put forward by the Legion should apply ,to the conduct of public hospitals. While he believed in economy ho believed.in efficiency, and also in fair play to the staff. Mr. J. Whitta'ker, another candidate for the Hospital Board, said he was much impressed by what Dr. Austin had said. He did not like to hear of discontent in the staff. Patients could not' benefit to the full extent unless the organisation was perfect. He congratulated the Hospital Board upon considerably relieving ratepayers.