THE AUCKLAND HOSPITAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 33, 8 February 1910, Page 9

THE AUCKLAND HOSPITAL.

YEAR REVIEWED.

SOifE SOUND XN^OVATIO^Sc

The Medical Committee of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Eoard submitted its report for 1909 at' a meeting of the Board held yesterday af-ter-uo'on. -be report stated that the work of the honorary staff had been steady and harmonious, and the high standard of efficiency of the institution had been fuilv maintained. During the year Dr. doss had done good work as senior resident, and the honorary staff viewed his reappointment for another year with pleasure. The resident pathologist and the other residents, Drs. Thomson and Eade, had all done good work. The successful results achieved by the nurses at the State examination must have proved satisfactory to all concerned. Reference was made to the proposed extension of the Nurses' Home, the committee hoping that the work would 'be put in hand at once. Appreciation of the long services of Mrs. Wooten, who had resigned her position as lady superintendent of the hospital, was recorded. The reform carried out in the commercial side of the hospital was thoroughly appreciated by the committee, more especially by the appointment of a secretary at the hospital, which has placed this institution on a par with similar large institutions in England and Australia. During the short time Mr. Fenton had been in charge, he had worked wonders in re-organising the various departments and in carrying out various economies which, while not impairing the efficiency of the hospital, must have resulted in a large saving. The honorary staff appreciated very much his efforts, ana recognised that he was deserving of every support. All the available beds had heen fully occupied during the year, the hospital having been rather more crowded than usual owing to the closing down of the basement wards. A new departure was tried in putting the patients who were formerly in the basement wards and attended to by male nurses only, under the control of a combined female and male nursing stuff, and the result had been most satisfactory. During the year a sub-committee of the Board and staff held an exhaustive inquiry into the dispensing department', and drew up a report, which bad been submitted to the Board. The Medical Committee considered that the proposals contained ia this report would greatly •benefit r his department, and lead to greater efficiency and economy therein. A hospital pharmacopoeia was drawn up -by the honorary staff and adopted by tbe Board, and this should greatly decrease the cost of the dispensary department. "This year," says the report, "should always remain famous for the abolition of the old basement wards, long a disgrace to a modern hospital. These have been replaced by modern wards and offices on the ground floor, which would be a credit to any hospital in the world An addition to the old hospital morgue has resulted in a fine up-to-date pathological department. This should prove of great use in carrying out the more scientific work of the hospital. The quarters of the male staff have been added to and greatly improved, and while adding to the comfort of the male staff should also result in better discipline. These additions have greatly added to the efficiency of the hospital and the comfort of the patients, and we wish to congratulate the Board on their completion." The Alexandra Home for Convalescents was largely availed of, and proved of great service to convalescent patients. The staffing of this home from the hospital should result in greater efficiency and greater econom}-. This home had proved such a bobn to the female patients and children, that the Medical Committee felt the necessity of a similai institution for convalescent male patients, and trusted that some such provision might be made in the future. In conclusion, the Medical Committee wished to thank the Board for their courtesy in considering and carrying out any suggestions made by them. Mr. Knight moved that the report be received, and expressed gratification at the interest being taken in the hospital by the honorary staff. He included In his motion that the clause relating to the nurses' home be referred to the Finance Committee for a report, as the matter :was urgent. "Hie chairman, in supporting the motion, spoke of the good that resulted from the meeting between the Board and the honorary staff, and hoped that such meetings would occur more frequently in future. Among other things the chairman also spoke of the urgency of extending the nurses' quarters without loss of time. Several other members spoke in similar Vein, the motion, being carried.