LACK OF SPACE FOR HOSPITAL WORKERS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28284, 23 May 1957, Page 18

LACK OF SPACE FOR HOSPITAL WORKERS

All medical progress, it seemed, demanded more building space and more staff, said the Medical Superintendent of the North’ Canterbury Hospital Board (Dr. T. Morton) in his annual report presented to the board yesterday.

“The trouble with Christchurch Hospital is that it cannot grow unless the site is used to support multi-storey buildings,” he said. Pending the completion of Cashmere Hospital, many of the departments at the Christchurch Hospital were using cramped accommodation. Some of the problems were outlined by Dr. Morton.

Radiotherapy Department.— The installation of three new and powerful units had much increased the scope of the work of the department, and was attracting patients from far afield, as no comparable units existed elsewhere in New Zealand. “The board is looking for a hostel to accommodate patients from afar who are without relatives in Christchurch, and who would find hotel charges beyond their means, and yet are not ill enough to occupy valuable hospital beds.” Splint and Artificial Limb Department.—He had been asked to produce some relief to the overcrowding and difficult conditions of work in the department. He could see no hope while the hospital continued to battle with an increasing flood of patients in its present outmoded buildings. “When Cashmere Hospital opens there may be a possible relief in the use of one of the old adjoining wards.” Cardiograph and Photographic Department.— No solution could be suggested except rebuilding, which was impossible on the present site. Three older wards might be used later for the expansion

of special departments until Christchurch Hospital was rebuilt. Burwood Hospital.— The relief afforded Christchurch Hospital by the medical and surgical wards at Burwood Hospital and the plastic surgical unit had been very considerable. “In order to keep Burwood adequately staffed, extra recruits needed have posed a serious problem in accommodation, not only in the nurses’ homes but also in the nursing school. The recruitment of nurse aids is severely restricted by the absence of accommodation for them.” Country Hospitals. —lt was always difficult to keep country hospitals adequately staffed, and the board was doing its best to improve the existing accommodation at those hospitals. “It says much for the stoicism and sense of service in the country hospitals that they have not had to close down at times.”' About the only bright side to the accommodation problem was the vacating of the Fresh Air Home attached to the Cashmere Sanitorium. . “The need for the home, with its previous function of looking after the children of tuberculous mothers, has gone. “It is thought that the children now looked after in Waltham Home could use this beautiful and healthy site, and that Waltham Home could be used for the aged infirm,” said the report.