HANNAN WARD MAY BE USED FOR PARALYSIS CASES

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 October 1948, Page 2

HANNAN WARD MAY BE USED FOR PARALYSIS CASES

Should further cases of poliomyelitis occur in the Grey district it is proposed to use Hannan ward at the Grey Hospital for such cases and to accommodate urgent childrens’ cases in other wards. Admission of cases for tonsil and adenoid operations will be suspended. These tentative arrangements were outlined to the Grey Hospital Board last night by the surgeon-superinten-dent (Dr S. Barclay), who added that there had been three cases of poliomyelitis admitted to hospital during the month, two from isolated country areas but one from near Greymouth. After consultation with the Medical Officer of Health (Christchurch), visiting restrictions at the hospital had been reimposed. Dr Barclay also reported that the month had again been a busy one. There had been 183 admissions and the total under treatment during the month was 278. There had been 132 operations performed (including 65 general). Visits to the out-patients department had totalled 631. There had been 635 exposures made by the radiography department, the bacteriological department had dealt with 301 investigations and the physiotherapy department had had 512 outpatients and 61 inpatients. Dr Barclay advised that he proposed to engage two final year medical students fox- relieving posts over the Christmas holiday period, as had been done in the past. Dr Mclntyre proposed to take his annual leave in January and he (Dr Barclay) did not think it necessary to engage a relieving doctor in his place. As far as he personally was concerned, he would like to take his leave in February but there were a number of factors influencing this and he could not make arrangements yet. Mr Burt (bacteriologist) was at present in hospital and would be unfit for duty for at least another two weeks. Meantime, the laboratory was carrying on as best possible. Miss McCormack (physiotherapist) was taking portion of her annual leave from October 15. As the department was busy, he was endeavouring to arrange a relief for the period. At Dr Barclay’s request, the board dealt W’ith several other matters in committee.