WELLINGTON HOSPITAL

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 134, 3 December 1926, Page 7

WELLINGTON HOSPITAL

NEW BUILDINGS

MODERN DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT

LA-HUG FOUNDATION-STONE,

■ The lion. J. A._ Young, Minister of -Health, yesterday afternoon performed the ceremony of laying the foundationstone of the admission, administrative, and urological block of the Wellington Hospital. There was a large attendance. Amongst those present wero the Hon. R. A. Wright (Minister of Education),- Sir John Luke, M.P., Mr. T. Forsyth, M.P., the chairman and members of the Hospital Board, tho Mayor (Mr. C. J. B. Norwood), the Medical Superintendent (Dr. D. Macdonald Wilson), members of the honorary medical staff, medical officers of the Department of Health, and representatives of local bodies.

Mr. C. M. Luke, chairman of the Hospital Board, said they had gathered at a unique period in the history of tho Hospital, and, in addition, they were making history. On behalf of the hoard, he welcomed tho Minister of Health. They realised that by virtue of his profession, which was closely allied to the medical profession, and by reason of his long association with the Hamilton Hospital Board, the Minister was in sympathy with hospitals and with those engaged in hospital administration. Mr. Luke said that in the history of tho Wellington Hospital it was on record that the first hospital was erected in Wellington in 1846, and a dispatch sent by Governor Grey to Earl Grey (Secretary of State for the Colonies) described the opening of that hospital and reviewed the first six months of tho hospital's, existence. It was mentioned that there were both Maori and Europoan patients, and in regard to tho former it was stated that they came to tho hospital clothed' in their native mats, and when they yjere discharged they left wearing European clothing. The next hospital wa3 built off Pipitea street, where the Girls' College now stands. And again, later, in 1878, the existing hospital building was erected. Mr. Luke quoted from the reports of Dr. Grabham and. Dr. Maegregor, for many years at the head of the Hospitals Department, and alluded to the successive medical superintendents, namely, Drs. Chilton, Hassall, Truby, King, Ewart, Woodhouse, and D. M. Wilson. He also referred to the various additions and wards added to the hospital. The present medical superintendent (Dr. D. M, Wilson), Messrs. Crichton and Haughton (architects), and the late Dr. J. P. Frengley had collaborated in working out the details and plans of the new blocks now in course ,of construction. At the request of the'board, Dr. Wilson paid a special visit to the United States and Canada in order to study the latest hospital designs and equipment, so that the new building would be quite modern in its general lay-out and internal arrangements. CHANNELS OF BENEVOLENCE. After referring to the great advan^ tage possessed by New Zealand of having a hospital system with an assured finance, the speaker remarked that it had been urged on the other side that such a system tended to dry up the channels of benevolence. The experience in Wellin, ton showed that such was not the case. There was no public service of more importance than the care of the sick. It was estimated that the cost of the new important additions to the hospital would amount to something over £200,000. The inpatients under treatment, in 1906 numbered 1941; in 1916, 4545; and in .1926, 5829. During the past year the average number of occupied beds was 529. In 1911 the out-patients under treatment numbered 5192; whereas during the past year the number had increased to 15,055. The nursing staff in 1911 numbered 84, whereas at present the staff numbered 220, and the stipendiary medical staff had increased in the same period from 4 to 17. THE MINISTER'S ADDRESS. The Hon. J. A. Young (Minister of Health) said that Wellington was to be congratulated on the event of that day, which was an important one in the history of its hospital. When completed the additional blocks would meet present and future requirements in regard tj» both accommodation and equipment. The new buildings showed that the board was fully alive to its responsibilities in making provision for the ca-e of the sick. During the past week j he had inspected the hospital and the work in progress, and he had noted with satisfaction that ample provision had been made with respect to both the out-patient and the social service departments; and and up-to-date laundry : was also to be provided. THE HUMAN FACTOR. The Minister reminded those present that a successful hospital did not consist merely of buildings and equipment. There was something more important, and that was the human factor associated with medical treatment and administration; it was this factor which.added materially to the efficiency of such an institution. The members of the board who gave their time and service gratuitously deserved every credit. So far as he personally was concerned—and it was also the policy of the Government—he stood by the free and representative character of the governing institutions concerned with the administration of hospital affairs. He paid a high tribute to the chairman of the board (Mr. C. M. Luke) for his forty years of hospital service. Almost equally long hospital and social service work had been done by tho Rev. H. IVan Staveren; in fact, in regard to social service and charitable aid Mr. ,Van Staveren 's name was a household word in the community. They must not forget tho medical men, who gave magnificent service to suffering humanity. The Minister also spoke in appreciative terms of the work of the nurses, the technicians and others engaged in service for the sick. It was his deßire and tho desire of the Government that there should be the ut-, most co-operation for tho welfare of the patients. The Minister then dealt with other aspects of public health activities. His remarks on these points aro reported under another heading. The Minister was then presented by the contractors, tho Fletcher Construction Company, with a small gold trowel with a greenstone handle, and with the usual ceremony he declared the foun-dation-stone well and truly laid. " EDr. T. H. A. Valintine, DirectorGeneral of Health, congratulated the board on tho splendid addition being made to the Hospital—an institution which had done noble work. Ho complimented Mr. Luko upon his fine record of hospital work. : The Mayor (Mr. C. J. B. Norwood) also congratulated the board, and added that as the result of inquiries he was satisfied that the funds at their disposal were utilised to the best advantage. Speaking on behalf of tho honorary medical and surgical staff, Dr. E. L. Marchant said that with the greater accommodation and increased facilities j for the tim of modern method-, they

looked forward to doing still more in the interests of those who required their services.

In moving the vote of thanks to the Minister/Mr. W. Appleton (chairman of the Hospital Committee) said that •the out-patients' department when completed vrouli be second to none in any part of the world. He also emphasised the need for tho institution of wards in which patients would have the privilege of employing their own medical attendant.

The Rev. H. Van Staveren seconded the motion, which was adopted amidst applause. Tho visitors were then entertained at afternoon tea.