ESSEX HOME PATIENTS.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20918, 27 July 1933, Page 5

ESSEX HOME PATIENTS.

♦ NO OVERCROWDING. MEETING OF HOSPITAL HOARD. Jv T o undue strain is i;uw being placed on the accommodation at, the Essex Home, according to a report on the question submitted to the North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday by the benevolent committee. The provision of four extra beds had made a considerable difference, it was stated. The chairman of the board, Mr H. J. Otley, presided. The question of accommodation at the home was raised at the last meeting of the board when a complaint was made about overcrowding. There, was only one person for whom special provision had to be made, the committee said. Dr. Paget, representing Ihe Department of Health, had visited Christchurch. He inspected the institution and expressed himself as satisfied with what the board was doiim and the arrangements made to meet any emergency that might, arise. At the same time he a retired the board of the fullest co-operation of his department, and the St- Helens Hospital. Other Business. The number of applications made to the benevolent committee during the previous month was shown as 849, representing 2338 persons. Suggestions for economies at various cottage hospitals, made by the medical and lady superintendents had been considered by the economy committee, according to a report by the chairman, Mr L. B. Evans. Tu all instances, lie said, the matrons had been consulted and every endeavour would be made to give effect to them, although it might not be possible actually to carry out all that had ben Probably the most, definite economy that could be effected concerned the grounds. All the country hospitals had been bulit on areas which were far too large. The consequence was that. it had involved the board in considerable expenditure each year. The hospital committee reported that the question of establishing a medical library at the hospital was under consideration. Discussions had already been held between the board, the honorary staff, and members of the medical profession.