Hospital News In Brief

Press, Volume C, Issue 29702, 21 December 1961, Page 7

Hospital News In Brief

The cost of burial of a body mistakenly identified as that of Mr J. E. Chapple, who was found alive in Auckland, will be borne by the North Canterbury Hospital Board to the extent of its standard funeral rate, the board decided yesterday The expense was met originally by Mr Chapple’s mother. Hospital Chapel.—lt was hoped to incorporate the Princess Margaret Hospital chapel in the hospital’s new ward block, said the chairman (Dr. L. C. L. Averill). The proposal was for the block to contain five wards of 30 beds each. Two wards would be for the paediatric department, and one each for the psychiatric department, the Full-time Medical Unit, and either a surgical ward or the Cardiological Investigation Unit. The new beds would require an extension of 100 beds to the nurses' home. Death Notices.—Death notices will be inserted in newspapers at the board’s expense when they relate to patients with no known relatives and no money. This will not only notify the dead person’s friends but also possibly help in tracing relatives. Swimming Pool.—Tenders will be called for the construction of the staff swimming pool at the Princess Margaret Hospital, for which the staff has raised more than £2OOO. The total cost will be about £3OOO. The social and amenities committee of the hospital has been advised that the John Maples Trust can be used to help to finance the pool. Estimates Approved.—The board's maintenance estimates for the year ending March 31, 1962, have been

approved by the Minister of Health (Mr Shelton). These comprise £1.686,613 for maintenance and £308220 for capital purposes. Wards at Burwood.—Two new wards of 30 beds each were proposed for the Burwood Hospital, chiefly for surgical and orthopaedic cases, said Dr. Averill. This would ensure full use of the new surgical block and help to reduce the long waiting lists. Smallpox Cases.—Estimates are being obtained for the provision of perimeter fences, internal furnishings, and staff decontamination in connexion with the accommodation of smallpox contacts at the Middle Sanatorium. Emergency and Accident Department.—A sketch plan for a two-storeyed building for the emergency and accident department at the Christchurch Hospital is to be prepared for submission to Wellington. The alterations are more extensive than originally planned, but this is deemed by the board to be justified because the department may now have to function for longer than was originally thought. Routine Successful.--The new hospital routine in three wards of the Christchurch Hospital was working very well. The staff was happy with the arrangement and hoped it would continue, Mrs J. E. Mackay told the board. “The public are not abusing the privilege,” she added.