Too many patients

Press, 8 May 1980, Page 6

Too many patients

The Christchurch Hospital last month had a record- number of patients admitted in any one day. 103 patients- were admitted on Monday, April 21. About three-quarters of them were classified as “acute” patients, including many accident and emergency cases and an almost unprecendented run of acute medical cases such as people suffering from a relapse in their treatment for leukaemia. The medical superintendent of the hospital, (Dr D. A. Andrews.), told the

health-services committee of the North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday that the pressure on hospitals throughout New Zealand seemed to be increasing. Dr J. K. Laing, the Medical Staff Association’s representative on the board, said the problem of more admissions was aggravated by the fact that about a third of general beds were occupied by people who should be placed elsewhere. Many patients were being accommodated in general

hospitals because there was nowhere else for them to go. Dr J. R- Dawson said the problem faced by the Christchurch Hospital was the result of a trend caus-sd by an ageing population, an increase in seifinflicted health problems such as over-eating and excessive drinking, and a general rundown in hospital, services through a lack of finance. "Hospital boards are being asked to cope with an impossible situation,” he said.