HOSPITAL PATIENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 256, 29 October 1929, Page 5

HOSPITAL PATIENTS.

SERVICES AND CONCERTS,

REGULAR, VISITOR'S EXPERIENCE,

We have received a letter from Mr. A. in reply to a letter from "Sufferer" that appeared in Saturday's issue. "Sufferer" complained that religious services and music had a disturbing effect on patients. Mr. Hamblin says:— As a visitor to the hospital for several years, I came in contact with many patients, including the young people, and my experience is directly opposite to "Sufferer's." Up to the present my visits to the patients have always been welcome, more particularly to those without friends. _ I quite understand that patients having their own friends do not want strangers, but I have always received a pleasant word and a smile from those who have their own friends. The number of visitors to each patient can with confidence be left in the hands of Dr. Maguire and the sisters, and to mv mind is a matter for them alone. I come in touch with quite a number of sisters and nurses, and am quite certain they are more than capable of looking after the interests of the patients. I ha a e always found them very courteous and kind. Religious services "are in good hands, and in saying so I am giving the opinion of the patients I come in touch with. I know that the services are appreciated. Sufferer" also draws attention to singing, and visiting entertainers. For about nine months I have arranged concerts in various wards at the hospital, and I can say without fear ef contradiction that they have been very much appreciated, and the cry repeatedly is: "When are you coming again ?" We are very careful indeed not to do anything that would annoy or upset the. patients! I have invariably made it a practice to be sure that none of the patients is upset in any way, and if I see a patient whom I think is not too well, then I ask that patient if the music or sinsrincr is .upsetting him. The patients I have spoken to have been the first to ask when we are coming again. One of the ladies from the Hospital Auxiliary has been a constant visitor to our concerts, and she has told me repeatedly the good that has been done. One 'of the sisters just a few days ago said that the concert in her ward was better than a dose of medicine. The same remarks apply to the gramophone. Mr. Neville Carlsen and myself make many visits with this music-producing machine with the best records we can get. and I say that a great deal of pleasure is given. If there are any serious cases in anv of the wards, the sisters will not pormrt anyone to go in with music or singing, and this is clearly understood by the good people who go along to cheer the patients. Surely "Sufferer" must know that the sisters quite understand their business. I am not writing this in my own defence, as I am quite happy to go alonrr helping those who are sick, but I do feel that some defence ;s uecesssrv on behalf of Mr. Neville Carl-en's concert party and others who give their time and talents to cheer the patients. If "Sufferer" will get in touch with me, I will give him an invitation to come along and see for himself.