THE HOSPITAL

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1927, Page 15

THE HOSPITAL

AN HISTORICAL SKETCH FIRST BUILDING IN WELLINGTON SOUTH MEDICAL OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES (By Dr. D. Macdonald Wilson, Medical Superintendent.) A search of newspaper files of the period reached in the history of the hospital does not provide much information regarding the transfer from the old Pipitea street site to the present hospital site in Riddiford street. Prior to the control being vested in a local managing body, there was evidently not that public interest in the institution as developed later. So far as one can learn the present institution was opened in 1880, the ! building having been commenced in 1878. In 1875 additions to accommodate eighteen extra patients had been ■made to the Pipitea Street Hospital, i and this enabled Dr. Johnston to establish his first fever ward. This is the ■ first reference to any special ward for jisolation —the great need being suitable

accommodation for the many typhoid eases then prevalent. Also that year the hospital was linked up .with a proper water supply from the town mains.

In, 1876, provincial government ended in New Zealand, and therefore the hospital ceased to be under the control of the Provincial Council.

, At some period prior to this, trustees had been appointed, presumably by the Provincial Council, and perhaps as a result of the suggestion contained iv the report of the committee previously mentioned, iii 1874. These trustees had immediately sot about the task of constructing a new hospital, and plans were prepared. In his opening speech to the Wellington Provincial Council on 30th April, 1875, the Provincial Superintendent referred to the hospital as follows:' —"By favour of the trustees of the Wellington Hospital, I am enabled to present a report from the architect for the new hospital buildings which they propose, to erect. • The trustees have been good enough to consult me from time to time on the subject, and I desire to express my entire approval of the proposed design. If they are able to accomplish their object, you will possess in this province hospital buildings constructed according to the most approved system, and capable of being extended according to the growing wants of the community. A new hospital has become a necessity, and the trustees cannot, if I may venture to offer advice, do better than dispose of so much of their estate as will put them in sufficient funds to defray the very considerable cost of buildings such as those proposed."

The policy of selling a hospital board's endowments to provide money for capital expenditure, is not considered sound, nor fortunately has a board any power to do so. The Wellington

Hospital Board is still in possession of valuable endowments in the city, the income from which is increasing and annually relieving the ratepayers to the extent of several thousand pounds. THE TIRST PLANS. The architect who submitted the first plans for the new hospital was Mr. C. Julius Toxward, but, judging by his description of them, the trustees must have altered their intentions before building three years later. His description of the proposed hospital, as appears in the proceedings of the Wellington Provincial Council, suggests a building facing the west. The only part of the description which fits the buildings erected is "they are to be constructed of brick and cement in the most substantial manner." Certainly the old building is substantially built.

Hospital planning is admittedly a very difficult problem, as the plan which to-day i 3 ideal may by the next generation be considered anything but ideal. Practically all old-established hospitals are to-day suffering in this respect, and probably none much more so than Wellington. One fundamental mistake was made in 187S, and the institution is still suffering from it. The fundamental principle that wards should bo bright and sunny was lost sight of, and instead a long and high corridor was built to the north, the wards lying to the south, thus being cut off from most of the sunshine the whole year round. The sarcastic and witty have suggested

that the plans were prepared in England to face the sunny south. The late_ Dr. Frengley held the opinion that as in the'seventies the majority of patients treated in public hospitals were of the type seen in the old infirmaries in England, and as there their old infirmaries were often built with a handsome and imposing front but with patients' quarters well out of sight, so the old traditions became grafted on to the local hospital plans. However, those who are building today will not desire critics fifty years hence to bo too severe and ready with blame for lack of vision. As mentioned above, the present hospital was occupied in 188Q, and then, consisted mainly of the corridor and torn- wards—those known to-day as Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4. The entrance to the grounds was by Hospital road, off Adelaide road, the front to Biddiford street, now occupied by the children's play area and new buildings being a swamp and gully. During the foundation work for the present extension it was interesting to note that alter driving through a clay top of several feet, a layer of black, heavy soi!, containing remains of manuka and fern, w as pierced. Much of the swamp and gully was filled in when the site fo? tw^Tears a°g" WaS °™ EVOLUTION OP CONTROL.

For a short period following the abolition provincial government, the control of the hospital was vested in the local City Council. Apparently no provision had been made for the maintenance of the institution, and the Mayor and Town Clerk had to wait upon the Minister of Finance and appeal for a maintenance allowance This was granted until the new Act came into force entirely changing the control of the hospital. This was the next step in the evolution of control of the hospital by an elected local body This Act gave control of the hospital to a board of trustees, who represented the Government, local bodies, and subscribers. _ Moneys for maintenance were obtained from annual subscribers, rates and the Government, Subscribers had the right to elect representatives on the board, and these were the ■" first elected members to the'controlling body or. the- institution.

ii w n /° S a"d re S ulations for the Wellington Hospital were drawn up by the City Council, which body then controlled the institution.. Patients in those days could only be admitted, or receive out-patient advice, on producUl Sl n 0^. der iv writiug from a member of the City Council or Town Clerk" member of the Hutt County Council or the chairman of the Benevolent Institution. They were also required to sign a declaration to the effect that they "are in a state of poverty, and unable to pay for medical advice and attendance." There has of recent years been much controversy over the question of private wards hi public hospitals and the privilege of patients being attended by their own doctor. That this is no new policy imported from America is evident from the following printed rule then in force: "Sick pei> sons not really necessitous, but possessing means, may be. admitted as inpatients upon payment of sucli sum per diem as the City Council may from time to time direct; and, further, if able to do so, shall pay the-fees of the honorary physician - or surgeon attending him." c

The honorary staff in 1881 comprised one consulting surgeon, two physicians, and two surgeons, while the stipendiary staff consisted of a resident surgeon. FIRST ELECTION OF TRUSTEES. The City> Council continued to control the institution until the first election of trustees under the new Act-in 18S5. The first trustees were:— - H. J. Williams, representing the Wellington City Council. ; G. M. Kebbell, representing the Horowhenua Council. G. Perkins, representing the Hutt County Council. And the following elected by the contributors:—Mr. F. H. Fraser (chairman), Dr. A. K. Newman, S. Danks, H. Gaby, C. M. Luke, and C. E. Willeston. Mr. H. Gaby was honorary treasurer, and Mr..L. W. Loveday was secretary. All these trustees have passed away except Mri C. M. Luke, who was then the young member of the board, and who has continued in office almost without interruption since that time. The medical staff consisted of:—Resident Medical Officer, Dr. Gray Hassall; honorary consulting physician, Dr. A. Johnston; honorary consulting surgeon, Dr. M. G. Grace, M.L.C.; honorary physicians, Dr. G. W. Cole and Dr. G. A. D. Mahon; honorary surgeons, Dr. W.

E. Collins and Dr. G. G. Gillon; and honorary ophthalmic surgeon, Dr. G. W. Kemp. Mr. A. Hoby was honorary dental surgeon.

The exact date when an honorary medical staff first became attached to the hospital it is difficult to say, but apparently some of the local practitioners acted in that capacity before the hospital was moved from Pipitea street. ■

The matron in 1885 was Mrs. Hermensen, and Mr. Hermensen acted as dresser. The latter did dressings for the patients and assisted in the operating theatre. He was so long at this work and so enthusiastic that he felt himself one of the surgeons, and even to-day traditions of him live in the hospital. It is recorded how he would describe to visiting surgeons and trustees the wonderful operations performed by "me and Dr. So-and-So." IN 1885-86. The first annual report of the trustees for 1885-86 sta'trd that 470 males and 145 females were treated during the year, and, in addition, 703 outpatients. Besides the medical officer and matron, there were 15 nurses and two male wardsmen. The staff were eulogised for their work during the outbreak of typhoid and erysipelas, when unfortunately one nurse contracted and died of typhoid. Wellington Hospital was the first in New Zealand to replace wardsmen and ; untrained female attendants with a

real nursing service. This change was made in 18S4, when Mrs. Moore was appointed lady superintendent. A training school for nurses was instituted, and this had the result of attracting a more highly educated type of young woman to the, institution. In 1885, the system was further extended, and the nursing. ; service divided .into head nurses and senior and junior probationers. .In 1882 Dr. George Walliugton Grabham was appointed Government Inspector of Hospitals, and the state of the hospital is described from year to year in his reports. Soon after taking up office, he reported on the Wellington Hospital, and some extracts from his description give us an excellent idea of thehospital and the grounds:—"lt cannot be said to be well planned. The front corridor is unnecessarily large; it receives the sun all day, while the large wards have no other view than that of the courtyards, and are consequently dull and gloomy. The grounds are not cultivated; no one is at present employed in them. Some cows from the asylum were grazing there. There are no entrance gates to the estate, and horses, etc., often stray in." • HOW THE HOSPITAL WAS MAINTAINED. The following statement of receipts for 1886 will reveal how the hospital was maintained in that yeaiy—

From Government subsidies . 3379 9 G From the District Board 2531 0 8 Amounts paid for treatment of patients 474 2 10 Amounts paid for treatment of out-patients 32 17 8 Amounts received from nurses attending private persons '49 7 0 From articles sold 15 1G 4 From contributions and donations 370 IS 7 From endowments 2610 10 11 From Hospital Sunday 375 o 0 From hospital boxes 14 IS 1 From hospital ball 147 x 7 From performance of "Patience" 71 17 7 £10,373 0 9