Necessary Reforms.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 699, 27 October 1909, Page 6

Necessary Reforms.

INSPECTOR-GENERAL'S REPORT, - The total expenditure on charitable aid last financial year was £136,890. Dealing in his annual report with reforms needed in the charitable aid system, the Inspector-General (Dr Valentine) remarks that two of the chief are—(a) co-operation between public and private charitable organisations ; (b) the appointment of trained nurses as matron superintendents of old people's homes. However, he adds, a good deal has been done during the last two years. Trained nurses have been appointed to the chronic wards of some of our larger homes, and lately a woman with considerable experience in asylum nursing has been appointed to sole charge of a charitable institution with apparently every satisfaction to the inmates and to the Board. TIPS FOR TRUSTEES.

Hospital authorities (says the In-spector-General) might bear in mind the following points : 1. Wbenyou have good officers leave them alone; if you trust them they will confide in you. 2. An ill-paid secretary is the worst form of hospital economy. 3 - Only consider complaints submitted in writing. Deal with them promptly. Never consider a patient's complaint unless it is made within one month of his leaving the hospital. 4. See that the by-laws clearly define the duties of the executive officers. You can then sheet responsibility home to see that the by-laws are rigidly enforced. 5. Well-kept books, particularly case and operation books, have nipped in the bud many a promising hospital scandal. 6. Trust the matron to watch the l>ack door, and the doctor the ftont. More goes out by the back door than you think, and less comes in by that door than you reckon or pay for. 7. Justice is a blind goddess; so is a matron without scales.