HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 134, 8 June 1910, Page 6

HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT.

AFFAIRS IN AUCKLAND.

ADVICE FROM BR. VALENTINE.

Dr. Valiatine, Inspector-General of Hospitals, accompanied by Dr. Makgill, District Health Officer, attended the meeting of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board last evening, and tendered advice to the members on general matters affecting hospital management. . "In regard to the Hospital," sa-id the Inspector-General, "I find matters going on there very well. The improvements I have previously suggested have been carried out, and you now Have the first hospital in the Dominion, and about the third in Australasia." Through the exertion of Mr. Fenton, there had been a. general reduction in expenditure in all departments, and they could anticipate a still farther reduction under the scheme of re-organisation ho had initiated. Spaaking in regard to the Costley Home, Dr. Valintine said he did not find matters quite so satisfactory, though there had been a general improvement particularly in the cleanliness of liie wards a-nd the consumptive shelters, which he had occasion to criticise on his visit last July. He found a very noticeable improvement in the dietary of the patients. Dr. Valintine strongly urged the appointment cf a policy committee to definitely fix the policy to be pursued, and to have the improvements efficiently carried out. Especially he recommended that the new nurses' horns be pushed on with, and that accommodation should be provided for at least 130 beds, as there were 350 beds in the hospital, and there should be one nurse to every two and a-half or three beds.

The proposed erection of a boilerhouse and kitchen, and an administrative block, required careful consideration, .else the Board would find itself committed to the erection of a'whole lot of buildings on a very small piece of land. The administrative block, as planned, would not be adequate for the -wants of the hospital, and quite omitted qn out-patient department, provision for -which was absolutely essential. The Board should keep to a 400----bed institution, as all hospital authorities agreed that no advantage was gained by exceeding that number. He also suggested the re-organisation of the office staff and an arrangement to bring the office more in touch with the hospital to secure efficient supervision. A number of questions were asked, and a general discussion followed on the suggestions made by Dr. Valintine. The Chairman mentioned that the plans of the nurses' home had been approved, and they 1 now had to face the question of ways and means for the general scheme of improvement. The Board could not borrow under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, but Hon. G. Fowlds -had promised to bring forward an amendment during the coming session of Parliament to bring about the desired end.

It was decided to invite tenders foi the nurses' home.

The complaint originating from the Parnell Borough Council in connection with the alleged premature discharge of a scarlet fever case from the Auckland Hospital came under the attention of the Hospital Board at its meeting, held ■last night. It is asserted that a girl was under treatment at the Hospital for one month and three days, and three days af-

ter her discharge—at least a fortnight boo ssoothen —the father contracted the disease, from which the girl was not then entirely free. The complaint was referred to the Hospital Committee for a report.