DIETITIAN FOR HOSPITAL

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 91, 17 April 1923, Page 4

DIETITIAN FOR HOSPITAL

INFORMATION FOR THE BOARD.

"That the Medical Superintendent be authorised to appoint a 'Skilled Dietitian on the Hospital staff, and a recommendation be furnished by him in-regard to the amount of remuneration, and if the officer should be engaged full or 'part time."

_ .The above notice of motion, standing in the name of Mr. J. W. Butler, will be considered at the Hospital Board meeting on Thursday. Some time ago the board affirmed the desirability of appointing a dietitian to control the food arrangements of the hospital, and Dr. D. S. Wylie, who was visiting America and Canada, was requested to obtain information for the board.

The report is now to hand, and Dr. Wylie states that he visited most of the hospitals, and in regard to food and hospital kitchens he was favourably impressed. The receipt, storage, cooking, and distribution of food were ideal. The kitchens and the preparation of food were under the control of trained dietitians, who were all women, specially trained. The patients were served scientifically and attractively, and the serving of food was delightfully done. Food was taken on individual tray*, it was hot and appetjsingly served, and it was well proportioned. "The sooner we have trained dietitians in charge of our kitchens, and have a proper distribution of properly cooked foods, the better it will be for the patients," said Dr. Wylie. "One of the recommendations of the Hospital Commission was in favour of skilled dietitians being appointed in the" larger hospitals of the Dominion, and only, last week the Hon.. C. J. Parr. Minister of Public Health., when speaking at the Domestic Science School at Dunedin, said that skilled dietitians in our larger hospitals. would sav E 'their salary ten timas ovss.