WAIKATO HOSPITAL.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 3, 4 January 1924, Page 8

WAIKATO HOSPITAL.

FIFTH LARGEST. OVER 1000 OPERATIONS. THE YEAR'S WORK.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

HAMILTON, this day. The Waikato Hospital, which is the fifth largest institution of its kind in the Dominion, passed through its wards, last year no less than 2500 patients, the daily average of occupied beds being 190, the collective days stay in the institution approximating 70,000, the average individual stay being 21 days. During the year over 1000 operations •were performed. The total staff of the hospital i g now 142, Tvfiieh number includes the medical superintendent, assistant superintendent, three junior doctors, matron, sub-matron, and 80 nurses and probationers. The expenditure during the year approximated £50,000, which, of course, is met by contributions by local bodies in the board's area, together with Government subsidy. The district has progressed at such a rapid rate that the demands on the hospital have increased phenomenally and expenditure on additional buildings and equipment is constantly being made. The board has now in contemplation the erection of a new nurses' home, to cost something like £50,000, as well as subsidiary hospitals at Huntly and Te Kuiti, while a hospital at Matamata is now Hearing completion. This year the board will raise £32,000 to cover the cost of the nucleus of the home, additions to the isolation ward and towards the cost of the subsidiary hospitals. During the year the Sunshine League, a body of voluntary workers, have rendered a great service to the hospital by providing comforts for the patients, weekly concerts and motor outings. The work of the league has been greatly appreciated by patients, staff and the board. Considering that the Waikato hospital district is the largest in the Dominion, with, a population of 86,000, and a rateable value of £36,000,000, the amount received by the board in the way of donations has been exceedingly small, almost negligible, in fact. There has, however, been a considerably better response to the demands for hospital fees from ex-patients. While this is gratifying, it should not be necessary for the board to have to make repeated applications for payment, as fulfilment of such an obligation should be regarded as a duty. The average number of inmates of the Old Men's Home, which is under control of the hospital authorities, was 33.