Home Treatment Research

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32352, 18 July 1970, Page 2

Home Treatment Research

Investigation of diseases which could be treated at home was one field to which the Nurse Maude Association could contribute, said Dr R. A. Fairgray, medical superintendent of the Christchurch Hospital, at the Nurse Maude District Nursing Association annual meeting yesterday.

“It is up to an association such as this to decide what illnesses can be treated at home and so reduce pressure on hospital beds,” he said. Dr Fairgray said he did not consider it in the best interests of Christchurch patients for the association to become a section of the North Canterbury Hospital Board. In the last few years boards had worked on limited funds. Unlike the association they did not receive private grants and were dependent on Government grants. Although these had increased, rising costs and inflation meant that in 1970 board money had less purchasing power than in 1960. Extramural services had

meant, however, that patient care was maintained at the highest possible level. The cordial relationship between the association and the hospital board dated back to Nurse Maude’s establishment of the service in 1896. “Both Worlds”

"Patients in Chirstchurch area get the best of both worlds. They have access to the equipment of a large institution and the intimate care and attention more easily provided by a small institution such as this,” said Dr Fairgray. Tracing population trends since the early days of the association, Dr Fairgray said the rate of increase in population in the last 70 years was not as great as sometimes thought However, in 1910 only 1 per cent of the population was more than 65 years old. This year 10 per cent were more than 65.

The Polynesian population pattern of 1960-1970 was much the same as the European structure at the turn of the century a high birth rate, fairly high infant mortality rate, and only 1 per cent of

the population more than 65. In the next 30 years this was expected to increase to the present European level of 10 per cent. To meet the increased demand for hospital beds the average stay had been reduced from 16.2 days to 10.3. This was one reason why the association now had more people needing long-term accommodation. Reduced Stay Reducing the stay meant that more patients could be treated. This was dependent on the extramural facilities available. Hospital physicians would not release patients unless they were confident they would receive adequate care. “The hospitals depend very much on your services,” he said. At $25,000 a bed for acute hospite cases the alternative was very costly. The only satisfactory solution was a blending of hospital board and extramural services. The rise in number of pa-, tients treated by the associa- 1 tion in the last 10 years was tremendous. Study of the areas visited showed 50 per cent of the work was carried out north of the present headquarters in Madras Street

“This reflects the social re-i volution occurring with the Welfare State,” he said. In Nurse Maude’s day care was: mostly given to the poor and needy. Now everyone sick receives it.” Plans for extention to the women’s hospital in McDougall Avenue 40 more beds will be provided in the! extension and the move: from the headquarters in Madras Street to McDougall Avenue next year, were discussed at the annual meeting. Tributes were paid to the work and dedication of Miss M. E. Rae, a former lady superintendent of the District Nursing Service, and Mrs E. ■ A. Stonehouse, former officer: in charge of the home aid service. Regret was expressed at the deaths of Mrs J. Fer-| rier, and Mrs S. E. Mair, who , had given invaluable service ' to the association. ,