COUNTY HOSPITAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Issue 9284, 20 April 1920, Page 6

COUNTY HOSPITAL.

RECORD OF PROGRESS.

At the meeting of the Ashburton Hospital Board yesterday, the chairman (Mr C. Reid) submitted his annual report containing a record of activities past and proposed, and also figures revealing the increased usefulness of the institution. The report was as follows :—

"Before reading my usual monthly report, I wish to refer to the Board's inbours during the past two years, and in doing so will briefly recount the additions " that have been made to the Hospital buildings and equipment, iand, also outline the important additions, etc.; that are contemplated in the near future: First of all--the new fever wards have at last been completed, and fully equipped. A new morgue has been erected; the old one was quite out of date, and far too small, but however makes a convenient disinfecting chamber. As far as" practicable the Hospital buildings have been •renovated and painted throughout, and the same treatment awaits the nurses' home as soon as the additions are completed. The old fever wards will soon be free of fever cases, and the whole of the buildings here will be thoroughly disinfected 1, and renovated according' to the contract that has been unavoidably held over for some considerable time now.

"in JuJy last the Board placed the Hospital under the care of a Resident Medical Officer, appointing Dr. J. Russell Wells to the position, and he has had associated with him, as- assistant, Surgeon Dr. W. J. Mullin. Since this appointment was made the County Hospital has been used much more freely than it was' before, and the valuable work the doctors have accomplished, during the nine months, has been'much appreciated by ail who have been admitted to the Hospital for treatment, whether medical or surgical.

"To show the number of cases treated during the past ten years, I will note tlie figures for the period, and I am of opinion that all who read them will agree that the Board did the right thing when it appointed a Resident Medical Officer. The admissions have been as under:—l9lo-11, 230; 1911-12, 226; 1912-13, 214; 1913-14, 240; 1914----15, 307; 1915-16, 318; 1916-17, 377; 1917-18, 315; 1918-19 (epidemic year), 380; 1919-20, 526."

"Alterations to the main building will provide further accommodation for patients, both male and female, also children, for whom at present there is no special provision by way of wards for children only. The scheme also includes a new system of heating the wards, utilising the radiators now in use. Steam for the kitchen, ward kitchens, and the new steriliser which will have to be procured immediately, as the one in use now temporarily is far too small, and interferes with tho work of the institution to a very large extent. Steam and a plentiful suppiy of hot water at ail times are absolutely neceaiary in a hospital. Those 'conveniences- will reduce the labour of the institution, and save the nurses no end of tiresome journeys from one end of the building to the other.

"Some of the more important additions needed after the nurses' home is finished are: A waiting and consulting room for out-patients, etc., Xray room, an up-to-date X-ray outfit, laboratory, and dispensary, also an office for the doctor. Ail these matters have received some consideration already, and the work will ■ probably be spread over a period of a year or two. It will, however, have to be

done, as the needs of this important and extensive district require it. The Board will require to reconsider the matter of a suitable motor ambulance, as the military ambulances have not arrived yet in New Zealand, and when they .do arrive may require a lot of alteration to make them suitable for this district. The Board will afco require to provide for a niorgue at iViethven, us this the Board has power to do, and there is no doubt such a building is required there. The Board has also purchased a conveniently situated residence fcr the Resident Medical Officer during the past year.

"1 am pleaded to say that the cordial relations which have existed in the past between this and neighbouring Hospital Boards continues, and that the North Canterbury Board is ever ready tv assist the Board, either by admitting cases to the Chnstchureh Hospital for KpeuJLilist treatment, loan of appliances, and also to readily admit men to Tuarangi Home. In conclusion I liuist refer to the severe los.;; the Beard has sustained by the early demise of Miss M. Mander, who so ably controlled the Hospital up to the time when she was stricken. The Board has also suffered loss that has been keenly felt by the resignation of two of its oldest and most esteemed members, viz.:—Mr Hugo Fried lander j who has removed to another district, and Mr John Cairns, who was, through ill-health, compelled to relinquish his seat on this Bcv-U'd. Both these members were far-r.eemg and capable men, and most attentive to the business of the Board, whether in connection with the Hospital cr Charitable Aid. At the close of this, my second year of office of chairman and treasurer, I most sincerely thank the members of the Board for the cordial support and assistance they have always accorded me in connection with all matters connected with the Board's business. I also thank tho medical officers, Hospital staff, sanitary inspector, and secretary for the good work they have done during my term of office, and sincerely hope the affairs of -the Board' will continue to progress, and improve. in efficiency in the future."—The report was received and adopted. The medical superintendent's annual report was as follows: —Total treated 493, discharged 435, died 20, remaining 38. The figures for operations were incomplete, being from July, 1919, to March 31, 1920. A comparison of admissions, etc.. with the previous year showed a large increase, although the corresponding period of last year included the influenza epidemic. Increases were-:—Admis-sions 121, total treated 116, discharged 108, remaining 22. The return "for 1918-19 included 61 influenza epidemic patients Operations performed from July 1, 1919, to March 31, 1920, totalled 303.—Received.