OVERCROWDED HOSPITAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 43, 19 February 1909, Page 6

OVERCROWDED HOSPITAL.

NAPIER INSTITUTION CONDEMNED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER, Thursday. A meeting of the Napier Hospital trustees was held to-day to meet Dr. Valentine, Inspector-General of Hospitals, and confer with him on matters connected with the hospital. Dr. Valintine said he had been living at the hospital for the past week, and found that the buildings were insanitary and in disrepair, the interior did not show the scrupulous cleanliness which should prevail, and the wards were not clean. The place was overcrowded, and the grounds untidy and insanitary. He found a lack of harmony between the administrative officers, due to outside interference, and a want of definiteness in regard to duties. Despite all drawbacks, the patients had been well cared for, but 67 were too many for one mau to look after. The economic side of the hospital had been neglected, and mismanagement was rife. Out of 10 nurses, only two were trained nurses, but that there was not that absolute disloyalty to -the matron as some people endeavoured to make out. was shown by the fact that four senior nurses had offered to stay on iif required after they had passed their examinations. The hospital books did not contain enough information, but this was due to the secretary being overworked. Dr. Valintine recommended the appointment of an extra medical officer at £200 per annum, and additional help for the secretary. The matron (Miss Florence Edwards) forwarded ber resignation. Mr. W. Shritnpton gave £1000 towards the erection of a new children's ward in memory of his son.