HOSPITAL WORK

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 180, 24 April 1924, Page 5

HOSPITAL WORK

GROWING PUBLIC DEMAND GROWTH OF WELLINGTON INSTITUTION It is an innovation to receive a comprehensive annual report from a superintendent of the Wellington Hospital, and general surprise was expressed when such a document was tabled at yesterday’s meeting of the board by Dr. D. Macdonald Wilson. He first gave a brief review of statistics to illustrate the growth of work in the hospital and make evident the growing demand for the services of the hospital by the public. "In-patients under treatment,” he wrote, “numbered 5460, compared with 4699 the previous year, an increase of 16 per cent. Tlie average number of occupied . beds per diem lias .410 compared with 30 for the previous year. This increase was partly duo to epidemics of influenza and diphtheria. and the closing of Trenthani Hospital, but there has been in addition a marked natural increase. In addition to increases in the inpatients, there have been increases in all branches of the out-patient service except one. This exception is in the military out-patient department, where the work is gradually lessening year ’oy year.” The following comparative return of all the out-patient departments was submitted:—

12,979 79,069 12,777 79.957 Further statistics showed that 5460 patients in all were admitted last year, compared with 4677 th year before. Tlie average daily number treated was 410, compared with 370. The rate of mortality per cent, over total cases under treatment was 5.24, against 5.86 in the previous year. Operations numbered 2426, compared with 1972-

“The past year has been a busy one,” he continued. “The accommodation of the hospital is now fully taxed, every ward usually being filled to capacity. Balconies and verandas are occupied all the year round as overflow wards. However, except in the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Department, there has seldom been a waiting list of cases for admission. Some important innovations have been made in the year and departments organised which have undoubtedly resulted in more efficient treatment of the sick.” Detailed information was given respecting the work of the departments, and in conclusion Dr. Wilson wrote: “The difficulty in dealing with consumptive cases is in weeding out those fit for sanatoria. If a part-time tuberculosis officer were appointed who would inaugurate a tuberculosis clinic and who would supervise all consumptives and only refer to sanatoria the suitable cases, expenditure might be decreased and a useful important clinic founded in the community.”

1922-25. 1923-24. AttendOases. , ances. Cases . ances. General 4,877 23,104 5,151 16.751 Military 944 1,847 192 1.563 X-Ray 451 607 486 587 V T) " RS4 31.129 561 34.723 Physio-therapy 4,846 17,375 5,007 20.197 Dental 1,007 5,109 1,380 6.116