HOSPITAL AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 189, 12 August 1935, Page 8

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS.

DIRECTORS' VISIT.

ACCOMMODATION QUESTION

AUCKLAND'S MANY NEEDS,

With the main object of consulting with the Auckland Hospital Board concerning suggested new buildings or extensions to existing ones, Dr. M. H. Watt, liirtetor-general of health, and Dr. R. A. Shore, director of tlie division of hospitals, will arrive in Auckland tomorrow morning. The conference, which has been sought by the board for son time, will probably be held 011 Wedivs da v.

The shortage of accommodation has been a problem confronting th<; board for some time, and requests have be" 11 made that officials of the Department should come to Auckland for a conference. More accommodation is needed for patients, and also for nurses, while it is common knowledge that the facilities at the board's offices in Kitchener Street are at present handicapped by lack of space.

The Auckland Hospital has likened to a man who has outgrown his clothes. The work of the hospital has naturally increased with the years, and extensions are urgently needed to provide for that growth. It is understood that the board will have concrete proposals to put before the director-gencral. It is possible that one of the auxiliary wooden wards which has been in existence for a number of years will be replaced by a larger block, or that additions wiil be made to the Costley ward to give accommodation for possibly another 100 beds. With any decision to increase the accommodation at the mail; hospital, however, will come a further problem in the matter of nurses accommodation, as already that is taxed to the utmost, and a number of nurses are sleeping outside the hospital.

Auxiliary Hospitals. One matter that it is hoped will be definitely settled as the result of Dr. Watt's visit is that of the location of the proposed chest hospital. A suggestion that accommodation for chest cases should be provided at Epsom recently drew a spirited protest from the One Tree Hill Borough Council. Another question that is likely to be raised is that of a convalescent hospital, the main object of which is to reduce the time spent by patients at the main hospital. It is also likely that mention will be made of the proposed extra nurses' accommodation at Epsom, for which the main authority has alreadybeen received. This extra accommodation is essential, as the third storey that is being added to the women's infirmary is now nearing completion.

A special meeting of the board has been called for 2 p.m. to-morrow. At this meeting, it is understood, proposals to be put before the officials from Wellington will be discussed. The conference between the board and the officials is expected to be held on Wednesday, although it is understood that Dr. Watt and Dr. Shore will be in Auckland for at least three days.

Another matter to be considered by the board in committee to-morrow afternoon, apart from representations to be made to Dr. Watt, is that of the appointment of a senior surgical oflieer and a senior medical oflieer for the Auckland Hospital. The positions were advertised some time ago in England, Australia and New Zealand. It is understood that the response to the advertisement calling for applications has not lieen as large as anticipated.