THE HOSPITAL

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 126, 30 May 1935, Page 11

THE HOSPITAL

INCREASE OF PATIENTS

FUTURE POLICY

NEED FOR ADDITIONS

I The superintendent of the Wellington Hospital (Dr. A. H. Thome) recently urged upon the Hospital Board the importance of formulating a future building policy to • cover some years ahead, and expressed the hope that in the new year a definite scheme would be laid down showing the various steps by which the buildings would advance. It had been suggested, he said, that a 750-bed unit should be the maximum allowed for—Ewart Hospital and Infectious Diseases Hospital being excluded from the 750 beds. ; The need for early consideration being given to the superintendent's recommendations is shown by the further rise in the number of inpatients treated during the past year as compared with the previous year. For the year ended March 31, 1935, the number of inpatients was 8117 as compared with 7452 in 1934, states Dr. Thome in a report to the board. The demand for attention, he says, both as inpatients and outpatients is steadily increasing, and in the coming year provision will have to be made for an average occupied bed list of at least 600. This necessitates early consideration of expansion of hospital facilities, particularly in regard to inpatient accommodation and the housing of the requisite nursing staff. MAINTENANCE COST. "The gross maintenance cost of the hospital apart from relief, has shown this year an increase of £12,743, an increase of 10 per cent, over last year," says the report. This is accounted for by the further increase in the average number of occupied beds (9 per cent.) and the increasing demands for outpatient services. The total receipts apart from levies and subsidies have increased by £4135. Thus the net maintenance cost, apart from relief, has increased by £8608. The cost of relief for the year has increased by £1322. The total net maintenance cost of the hospital and relief for the year therefore has been increased by the sum of £9930. HOSPITALS AND WARDS. "Victoria Hospital.—This hospital, containing 68 beds, has been full for the whole year, and always has a waiting list. Provision is being made in the estimates for 1935-36 for £10,000 towards the cost of- extensions to this hospital. The provision of 30-40 more beds by the addition of another wing will ease the situation. Opportunity will be taken at the same time to improve the sanitary blocks of the older wards. "Ewart Hospital.—The- Ewart Hospital has worked smoothly and has been used to capacity, the maximum number of beds available being 98. The future of tuberculous work is the subject of a special report by the Superintendent. "Infectious Diseases Hospital.—Another year has passed without much increase in infectious diseases. However, indications suggest that an increase can be. expected in the coming year. To provide adequate facilities for nursing these cases it was decided to. recommission the fever hospital. The buildings, both hospital and Nurses' Home,, were renovated and painted throughout, and it is anticipated -they will be ready for use early in April. Accommodation is provided for 64 patients, separated into several sections, though if necessary approximately 100 patients can be received. The question of supplying steam to ther hospital from the Ewart plant has'been left in abeyance, but will be further investigated in the coming year. "Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Ward.— Plans have been prepared for an extension to this block, by the addition of a twelve-bed ward. At the same time provision will be made for twelve more beds in a ward below this extension. This work is very necessary as the present eye ward is a definite danger in- case of fire or earthquake. It is hoped to have the work in hand early in the coining year. "Nurses' Home.—The nursing staff has been augmented to cope with the increased number of ( patients. This has further accentuated the accommodation problem. To make room for the extra staff it was found necessary to alter the conditions for a majority of the maids. These now live out, but still receive meals at the hospital. The additional nurses are temporarily using rooms vacated by the maids. Dining-room facilities for the nursing staff are totally inadequate, and the future provision of dining-room accommodation is at present under consideration. Allowance' is to be made in the estimates for £2500 towards improved dining-room accommodation. It has yet to be decided whether a separate dining-room will be provided near the kitchen for the use of the staff on duty, or whether all dining facilities' will remain at the home as at present. The establishment of a cafeteria is also under consideration. The estimates will include £10,000 towards extensions, to the Nurses' Home, which it is. anticipated will be put in hand during the coming year."