HOSPITAL BOARD

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 149, 28 June 1929, Page 14

HOSPITAL BOARD

OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT

X-RAY ROOMS

Tho monthly meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board was held yesterday afternoon, Mr. C. M. Luke presiding. . ' . The general committee reported that Miss L. Hodder Lad been appointed district nurse at Paekakariki, and Miss L. Kenuair district nurse at Petone. Plans submitted for the X-ray department were approved—the work to be carried out by the board's staff at au estimated cost of £.656. Authority was given for the purchase of a quartz lamp for. the ultra-violet light department at a cost of £48. The medical superintendent {Dr. H. B. Ewen) reported upon the out-patient department as follows: —"In my annual report I referred to the need for a reorganisiitioi) in this department. The general out-patient clinics are held on Monday and Friday afternoons, from 2 p.m., and very frequently the doctors are not finished until 5 or G p.m. Thus patients have frequently to wait for from two to four hours. This service should be a daily one, and conducted by the casualty officer, who should be supported by the attendance of an honorary physician and surgeon once or twice a week, to whom cases could be referred (for consultation. I therefore desire to recommend as follows: — (I) That general out-patients be conducted by the casualty officer, daily at 2 p.m." The board approved the medical superintendent's recommendation in regard to the general out-patient department,, and decided, that a special, outpatient clinic be conducted on Monday and Friday afternoons at 3.30 o'clock. Dr. Ewen reported in regard to the X-ray department that plans had been re-drafted and the estimated cost reduced from £1100 to £650. Authority was required to proceed with this work. Authority, lie said, was also required to proceed with the plastering of the wing which has been- allotted to the massage department. The medical superintendent's recommendations were approved. LADIES' ATJXrLIAJBY. Dr. Ewen stated, in respect to the work of the ladies' auxiliary, that the Wadestown League of Mothers continued the visiting on 15th April and continued each visiting day till 28th April, sixteen ladies taking part and visiting 108 patients in the Main Hospital. This society, he said, made special efforts to cheer the patients in the Yietori|i . Hospital, and the patients were delighted with the little kindnesses shown. The children's, wards, too, were specially, visited, and the little ones made very happy with notebooks and pencils, magazines, etc. The members were still supplying some of the lads with special magazines. Gifts of fruit, sweets, and dainties were distributed each day. ' The Seatoun League of Mothers visited from 28th April till 12th May, six ladies taking part,; and visiting 277 natients. Letters were written, legal business transacted, assistance and board found for a needy patient, and the relatives of another patient sought. Gifts of fruit, cigarettes, tobacco, writing material and stamps, chocolates, cards, books, and magazines were given. Sister Gray reported that the St. John Nursing Guild had 24 patients still requiring treatment, ,11. have been discharged as fit, 2 have been removed to hospital, while the calls at the surgery have been 78. No loss than 240 visits have beeu paid to the patients' homes. St. John Ambulance report four cases under their care., The librarian (Mrs..O'Leary) report- ! t'd that the library was still proving a u:reat source of pleasure to the patients. Over 700 books had been entered in the record book as being "out." Several new books had been donated by friends, also by the Post and Telegraph Library. i Eight wards were now being worked, and over 100 books and magazines were circulated each week. The librarian and her assistant were deeply indebted to Mr. Wright, ambulance officer, for the 'great help he gav.e them.