Record Number Of Patients

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31770, 29 August 1968, Page 6

Record Number Of Patients

The number of patients dealt with at Christchurch Hospital reached a record 1559 during July, it was reported at a meeting yesterday of the North Canterbury Hospital Board. This figure was higher than any previously recorded, even before the opening of Princess Margaret Hospital when Christchurch Hospital had more beds, said the deputy secretary, Mr D. Horne. Mr F. W. Gilbert: One does hear of patients being returned home earlier than perhaps their families think they should. The medical superintend-ent-in-chief (Dr L. M. Berry) commented: “The operative phrase here is, earlier than their families think they should be.”

New Accident Department

Good progress is being made with the new accident and emergency department at Christchurch Hospital. The acting-chairman (Mr L. A. Bennett) told the North Canterbury Hospital Board members at their meeting yesterday that he hoped an inspection of the new department could be made on the date of the next meeting.

Health Department approval has been sought to appoint Mr G. W. Lucking, of Christchurch, as architect for a proposed new hospital chapel. It was reported that planning of the new geriatric wards and occupational therapy department at Princess Margaret Hospital had reached the stage where tenders could be called soon. An early estimate of the construction period had been 18 months, said Mr Bennett