HOSPITAL NEWS IN BRIEF

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27307, 25 March 1954, Page 9

HOSPITAL NEWS IN BRIEF

OPERATING THEATRE LIGHTS FAIL

During a recent emergency operation, lights in the operating theatre at the Christchurch Hospital failed, and it was some time before battery lighting could be brought into service. When this was reported to the North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday morning, the board agreed to the principle of extra emergency lighting, and asked the building committee and board’s engineer to report on requirements.

Army Nursing Aids.— The Nurses’ and Midwives’ Board has asked for the use of the Burwood Hospital as a parttime training school for nursing aids from the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps, because the medical school at Waiouru has been transferred to Burnham Military Camp. The hospital committee has approved the scheme. It will reply that male nursing trainees would also be appreciated at Burwood.

Training School in New Hospital.— The new Cashmere Hospital 'will be designated an A grade training school by the Nurses’ and Midwives’ Board. The Hospital Board has authorised the building committee to include plans for a nursing training school in Stage II of the proposals for Cashmere. Precautions Against Smallpox.— The Medical Officer of Health (Dr. D. P. Kennedy) has mentioned to the Hospital Board the possibility of smallpox cases arriving through the Christchurch international airport, and he has recommended the vaccination of sufficient doctors and nurses to deal with such cases in hospital. Similar inoculations to those given last year will be provided. Lawn-mowing Contract.— A contract of £325 a year for mowing the lawns of the Christchurch Hospital, the manse, laundry, and out-patients’ properties has been accepted because the finance committee found that the amount was less than wages alone for this work by its own staff. The contractor will begin in the spring. Indian Clinical Photographer.— Mr Y. S. Gupte, an Indian clinical photographer from the Grant Medical Centre, Bombay, will join the staff of the North Canterbury Hospital Board for three months to gain experience. The appointment was approved by the board because of arrears of work at the Burwood Hospital, where Mr Gupte will spend a month, followed by two months at the Christchurch Hospital. . Influx of Plastic Surgery Patients.— Because of an influx of patients for plastic surgery at the Burwood Hospital. nurses there have had to be transferred to this department, and a shortage of staff in the geriatric wards has resulted. Mr J. J. Brownlee drew attention at yesterday’s board meeting to the general shortage of staff in the whole institution, but the hospital committee expressed hopes that there would be an improvement with the addition of more candidates for training m April. Regrouping of Wards.— Architectural problems in regrouping wards at the Christchurch Hospital will probably now entail the erection of a lift and stair well at the corridor end of Wards 7 The hospital committee has reaffirmed the regrouping proposals, with this amendment. Records Trolley.—A ward trolley specially designed to carry medical records is being tried at the Christchurch Hospital, and a decision will be made later whether the idea is suitable for general adoption. Physiotherapy Training.—Arrangements will be made for physiotherapy students to obtain experience in chest work at the Cashmere Sanatorium. Cramped Quarters for Therapists.— Although the Health Department has agreed to increasing the staff of the occupational therapy department at the Christchurch Hospital to four persons, no action will be taken until other quarters are found. The hospital committee reported to the hospital board that in the existing rooms there was “absolutely no room, for any more staff.”

Miss J. Hickling, an expert in manipulative physiotherapy, will conduct a refresher course at the Christchurch Hospital during the winter.