HOSPITAL NEWS IN BRIEF

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27225, 17 December 1953, Page 13

HOSPITAL NEWS IN BRIEF

fire protection at BURWOOD SPRINKLER SYSTEM TO BE INSTALLED the N rn»^? imi J y £ an be reached on o es to ? e ad °P ted to imSSh . th /r? protection of the Burm?ttsL’7 ards- ? ald the build ing combuJv w e?°, r U° the Nortb CanterdayZ H ° SPltal Boar d’s meeting yester-

Hp S? Ministry of Works and the ioSi?lt° P^ tment . ma >ntain that the “ % a s ,P rin kler system will th» sufficient said the report, “but mSw th l T lri l .^ oUl lt y Council main - SriSklu- 1 ’ - h Jl e the ms taUation of SI nr!^F- S - 1S strongly recommended. senf P^° V Sl ° n ° f ramps 18 the first es "

t rtl -‘r«J ing ? n ad vice of the Direc-tor-General of Health (Dr. J. Cairney), il?T+ou2? lmitt ? e i i. recornmends tha t the l r^Sll at L on of 3 sprinkler system be that consideration of providing further means of egress be U 2! U i he issue of the new fir ®s ode ln the New Year.” board 5 Course was agreed to by the

. Clinical Lecture Theatre.— Further informatioij on the proposal to prorhse?i5 lin L c S lecture theatre at the Christchurch Public Hospital has been obtained, and a sub-committee has been set up to discuss the matter with C ' T T a y lo . r ’ Director of the Divihospitals, when he visits unristchurch early in the New Year. Regrouping of Wards.—To provide easier access for acute surgical cases, among other facilities, wards may be regrouped at the Christchurch Hospital. It is proposed to group orthoP a «T lc w ards in the vicinity of the orthopaedic department, and medical wards as a separate unit. The proposal, which would take effect gradually, was put to the hospital committee by the staff executive, and was gjven “hearty commendation.” In its report to the board the committee said that structural alterations would involve the provision of access from Ward 7 and the main corridor, and a covered way from Ward 8 to Ward 10. Essex Beds for Private Cases.— The number of doctors’ booked cases at the Essex Hospital will be increased to 20 a month. The hospital committee had discussed the question of making more beds available at the hospital for private practitioners, said the committee s report, and the committee recommended that the increase be made. The committee also recommended that emergency cases should be taken in as the hospital’s bed state permitted.

Tender for Oxford Alterations.— The tender of Mr A. Bullivant for alterations to the Oxford Hospital was accepted by the board. Mr Bullivant’s tender of £1495 was the lowest of the tenders—which ranged up to £l9Bo— by the board. Chromium-plated Cots.—Chromiumplated cots and bassinets have been ordered for the Burwood and Christchurch Hospitals by the North Canterbury Hospital Board. The cost will be included in the current year’s estimates.

Free Therapeutic Drugs Sought.— The Health Department will again be asked by the board to have cortisone and ACTH supplied free under the social security scheme to approved out-patients. The finance committee’s report said that the combined medical staff had drawn attention to the high cost of the two drugs when supplied to out-patients. “While the board’s action in writing off accounts has been appreciated, it is considered that patients would be relieved of much distress if some earlier intimation could be given,” the report said. “Accordingly, it is recommended that arrangements be made to have the medico-social worker check the financial position of intended patients as soon as treatment with either of these drugs is contemplated.”

X-Ray Equipment.— A new generator tube stand and automatic exposure unit, estimated to cost £2500, and minor structural alterations to the

present portable room in the X-ray department by removing two dressing cubicles and extending the room by about six feet were approved in principle. The scheme will be submitted to the Department of Health for consideration. The alterations are the result of recommendations by Dr. G. L. Rolleston that an appointment system should be used in the X-ray department.

Kaiapoi Property.— A house opposite the Kaiapoi Hospital will be bought by the board for £3lOO. The purchase was recommended by the finance committee, which reported that the purchase of the building would relieve accommodation difficulties at the hospital. The transaction had been approved by the Minister of Health (Mr J. R. Mashall), subject to a report from the land purchase officer.

Laundry Ventilation.— Complaints by the Laundry Workers’ Union about the ventilation of the board’s laundry have been investigated by the board’s architect. The achitect has recommended (1) opening skylights to overcome stuffiness complained of in the sorting area; and (2) the ventilation of the finishing room with ducts and fans at a cost of about £lOOO.

Shaving Exhaust Plant. —A shaving exhaust plant will be bought by the board for its new workshop, probably at a cost of £5Ol. The proposal had been approved by the architect, but acceptance of the quotation would be subject to Ministerial consent, said the finance committee’s report.

Dishwashing Machines.— “ Satisfactory proposals have now been completed concerning the dishwasher units to be installed at tlje Middle Sanatorium and Coronation Hospital,” said the public health committee in its report. Proposals had also been completed for an improved vegetable room and butcher’s room at the sanatorium, said the committee. It was recommended that the plans should be sent forward for the approval of the Director-General of Health. Sketch plans for the alterations to the dishwashing unit had been prepared, reported the building committee. The cost would be in the vicinity of £3OO, without the dishwasher itself.