OVERCROWDING IN HOSPITAL

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 153, 25 March 1938, Page 13

OVERCROWDING IN HOSPITAL

Temporary Wards ERECTION AT LOWER HUTT OR WELLINGTON?

The proposal'for the erection of two temporary wards to relieve overcrowding at the Wellington Public Hospital was discussed by the hospital board last night, when the building committee reported that it was fully aware of' the necessity for the buildings for both patients and nurses, but was unable to come to a decision ars to the most suitable site. The superintendent (Dr. A. R. Thorne) submitted a report on the relative suitability of Lower Hutt and Wellington, which was referred back to the committee, for consideration and a recommendation. The chairman of the building committee, Mr. A. H. Carman, said that the need for extra accommodation was urgent, as the overcrowding could not be relieved by the new building programme for some time The question, however, was complicated by the fact that the new building plans were at present in the hands of the Minister, and it was not. certain whether they, would be carried through or modified. The building committee also recommended that the board’s architects be asked to prepare plans for a two-story building, providing store accommodation on the ground floor and staff accommodation on the first floor; also plans for the alterations and extensions, to the present laundry. The chairman, Mr, J. Glover, said that this permanent accommodation would be absolutely necessary, whether the full building plans were gone on with or not.

Mr. F. Castle agreed. It was extraordinary, however, that the building committee was unable to make a decision about the temporary accommodation, he said. Not SatisfactoryTemporary wards would not be satisfactory and .coul'd not be shifted later to another site, Mr. A. W. Croskery declared/ He considered that it would be preferable to arrange for the senior nurses to live- out. "Those who have set themselves out to see an up-to-date hospital built on this site should not let themselves be stampeded by the noisy ones,” he said., "I hope that none of those who were supporting the proposal for a new hospital have got cold feet because there are some opponents to it.” If the board put its shoulder to the wheel, it should be able to get the construction of the new nurses’ home started almost immediately. “Whatever we do in regard to permanent building, we are faced with a shortage of beds in the next three years,” said Dr. T. L. Parr. The provision of temporary wards had nothing to do with permanent buildings, he said. The matter was urgent, as the period of winter stress was approach-; ing when beds might be needed more than ever. Superintendent’s Report. The superintendent’s report was placed before ' the meeting, but Mr. Croskery urged that it should be referred to the committee. “We cannot consider in five minutes a report probably involving -the expenditure of thousands of pounds of the citizens’ money,” he said. He was supported by Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell. "We should not commit the board to such a scheme on less than five minutes’ notice,” he said. The report, as follows, was referred to the committee:— “It has been suggested that- two •temporary wrnrds of 24 beds each be erected adjoining the old main entrance. The wards would function till the new-buildings were complete .and they would then be shifted to some other site probably as convalescent wards- attached to Belmont, Central Park or other of -the board’s properties. An alternative was raised by Dr. Parr that possibly these wards 'could be erected at Lower Hutt on the hospital site. This Would avoid the necessity of transfer later and these wards would be available for emergency purposes when a. hospital was erected in the Hutt. It was decided that a short report should be available at the board meeting setting out the pros and cons of the alternative. ( The suggestion for the two temporary wards was made because of the following advantages:— (1) Close proximity to the main corridor, operating theatre and kitchen; (2) electric light, sewerage, hot and 1 cold water, steam for sterilisers and heaters, and telephone service, already on the site; (3) as the wards were to have one type of -patient and one sex only, the service rooms, ward pantries, lavatories, bathrooms, etc., would be kept at a minimum; (4) the wards would require a minimum of extra staffnurses, porters, maids, cleaners, and others; (5) the proximity to the rest of the hospital would- be of advantage

regarding the visiting medical staffs.; (6) it would enable 4S patients to be treated, in the sunny aspect of -the hospital. Pros and' Cons. “The advantages set out for a Hutt site for these wards-are: —(1) They ■would not have to be moved later, and therefore would save in labour; (2) they would be available as emergency wards apart from the main hospital when such is built at the Hutt; (3)' they would offer a nucleus for treatment for-some of the present cases in the Hutt.

“Against these are :—(1) In the Hutt more elaborate wards would 1 be required because of types of cases and different sexes; (2) footpaths and roads would have to be constructed immediately; (3) sewerage, light, and water would have to be taken on- to the site; (4) a kitchen, nurses’ accommodation and other accessory . rooms would be required; (5) extra cost of staffing; (6) transport costs for laundry; (7) the fact -that the hospital site has not finally been settled, and defay will 'be occasioned by having to decide on the general layout of the hospital and nurses’ home. “A further proposal has been made that if the present “fever” hospital is to be taken for a convalescent home, ■the extensions could -be -placed there instead of at the main- entrance. This would mean no shifting of -buildings later,, and would provide the same bed accommodation. There is room on the fever site, and- this alternative could be accepted, but it means:—(l) Adjustment to the kitchen services at fever; (2) the provision of more staff accommodation; (3) we would not be able to use the beds to the same extent; (4) it would not give us the opportunity of nursing 48 acute cases on the sunny aspect of the hospital.”