DEMAND FOR BEDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 30, 5 February 1941, Page 9

DEMAND FOR BEDS

HOSPITAL PROBLEM

INCREASE IN TEN YEARS

Figures given by the chairman of the Wellington Hospital Board, Mr. F. Castle, set out the. continuing increase of the demand upon city hospital services during the past ten years, and particularly during the past two years.

! The total number of in-patients treated in ail the board's institutions in 1931-32 was 7887, said Mr. Castle. For 1940-41 the corresponding figure was 14,594. The increase had been greatest within the past two years following the introduction of the hospital and maternity benefits under the social security scheme and because of military patients, though the figures did not include soldier patients treated at Trentham racecourse. '

The number of in-patients treated in all the board's institutions, the average number of occupied beds, and the total number of beds available over the past ten years were as follows:—-

The average number of occupied beds in 1931-32 was 650 and the number of available beds was 867. For 1940-41 the corresponding figures were 1107 and 1310. Not all of these beds were in the main hospital in Wellington. These figures include patients from all parts of the Wellington hospital district.

According to the Acting Superintendent, Dr. J. Cairney, 150 more beds are required to relieve the present overcrowding.

Mr. Castle said it was expected that the 100-bed block attached to the main hospital would be ready within approximately three or four weeks. The Hutt Hospital would provide 210 patient beds, but this was unlikely to be ready for the coming winter.

FURTHER PROPOSALS

Following a recent and more thorough examination of overcrowding of patients, the board had decided that the district's tuberculosis patients should be transferred from Newtcwh to a country location. This move was expected to release nearly 150 beds at Newtown. The board was also maintaining a number cf these patients at Pukeora and Otaki and they would be provided for in any new tuberculosis hospital to be erected. The board was also investigating the transference to the country of orthopaedic cases, specially children. The board had also under consideration the question of accommodation for chronic invalids. At present they were accommodated in various institutions — Victoria Hospital, Central Park, and in other wards. The buildings at Central Park, formerly known as Ohiro Home, were'not considered satisfactory.

A VAIN SEARCH

ESCAPED PRISONER

(Special to tho ".Evening Post.")

HAMILTON, February 4

In spite of strenuous efforts by police from the Hamilton and Te Awamutu district, no trace has been found of Richard Humphreys, the young prisoner who escaped while being conveyed from Auckland to the Waikeria Borstal Institute. Humphreys was under the escort of an Auckland constable, and is believed to have jumped from the south-bound express train between' Frankton Junction and Te Awamutu.

Scrub and bush on both sides of the line have been searched carefully, in order to ascertain whether the prisoner was injured by his fall, but no evidence of this has been found. The possibility that he did not leave the train, but secreted himself in or on other carriages, has been, investigated.

1932-33 1933-34 1934-35 1935-36 1936-37 1937-38 1938-39 1939-40 1940-41 7,120 7,737 8,460 8,860 9,565 10,171 11,522 13,105 14,594 636 655 687 722 782 800 903 974 1,107 818 818 870 866 860 1,011 1,037 1,156 1,310