MEASLES EPIDEMIC HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION BOARD'S POSITION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 143, 18 June 1915, Page 4

MEASLES EPIDEMIC HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION BOARD'S POSITION.

Reporting to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday upon the admission of an increased number of military patients to the Hospital, the Medical Superintendent (Dr. W. J. Barclay) stated :—: — " Far some months past we have had a number of troopers in the general wards suffeiung from ordinary medical and 6urgical ailments. In addition, patients suffering from measles have been admitted to the galvanised iron building at the back of the children's ward j there is accommodation there for twenty patients. On sth June, Dr. Valintine, Inspector-General of HospjtaJs, informed me that the Defence Department required more accommodation for their sick, and he asked me to admit military patients to the Victoria chronic ward, stating that he would provide accommodation elsewhere for the present inmates of this ward. After consultation with the chairman of the board, the chairman of the Hospital Committee, Dr. Valintine, and the Hon. Mr. AUen, it was agreed to comply with Dr. Valintine's - request. ... On 9th June, several measles patients were received from Trentham, so that in the wards now at. the entire disposal of the military authorities there were forty-four measles cases. The intention is to send these patients to $ie Wellington Hospital at the acute stage of their illness ; then, as coon as they are convalescent, to remove them to Berhampore or elsewhere till they are fit to resume duty. ... I have been assured that the? Dofence Department will assist with medical officers to any extent that is required. And, after consideration, it seemed to me that it would be best for the military medical officers to have sole control of the admission of patients, to direct their treatment in the wards, ,and to transfer them elsewhere when fit to move. ... I think it will be. necessary to reserve the power of refusing to admit more patients when all the available beds are full, for unless great care is exercised I fear that,, confusion and overcrowding will goon occur." Mr. C. M. Luke and the Rev. H. van Staveren approved tile action of the chairman in agreeing that tho necessary provision be made. The Rev Dr. Elliott said he could not understand why there was not full hospital accommodation at Trentham, for isolation and other cases, when there had been time to make such provision. It should not be necessary to commandeer civil institutions, especially when immense sums, of money had been raised for Trentham hospital purposes, and medical men from al] parts had contributed. Mr. J. Smith (chairman of the Htoepital Committee) said that whether or not fault might be found with the Government, the board had been asked to help, and had thought it its duty to do so. The chairman of the board (Mr. H. Baldwin) said it was not for the board to criticise the Government. That was the business of the public. It was the business of the board, however, as a public institution, to render all possible assistance in a case like this. Had members visited the camp with him and seen men suffering from measles lying in a tent while the ground outside was white with frost, they would have realised the need. , ; Mrs. Wilford asked if something could not be done to expedite the erection of the Camp Hospital, which \ apparently had been delayed? Or could not some of the hutments have been used instead of tents, since measles was comparatively simple of treatment 1 The Chairman said that material for the Camp Hospital was now on the ground. Dr. Elliott stated that he did not in any way criticise the action of the board, but it appeared that there should have been no need to call for assistance. He asked if there had been any deaths from measles since cases had been treated at the Hospital. The Medical Superintendent replied that there had been three or four, he could not say the exact number, but there had been deaths before that. They had 49 beds now for measles alone, besides 26 beds in the general ward for Trentham cases. Mr. C. M. Luke said the Medical Superintendent's statement disclosed a very serious state of affairs, that men sffffering froir> measles must have been exposed to serious risks. He moved that the board, feeling its responsibility as a public body, urge the Government to make provision at the camp in case the epidemic should spread. Mrs. Wilford secondod the motion, which was passed without comment.