ADMISSION DELAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22593, 23 March 1948, Page 6

ADMISSION DELAY

HOSPITAL CASES SPEEDING-UP URGED GUIDANCE FOR DRIVERS A request by Mr A. M. Trafford for information as to bow the entry of patients from country areas could be speeded up precipitated’ a short discussion at yesterday’s meeting of the Cook Hospital Board in the course of which the chairman. Mr. J B Williams, stated that the slow admission of patients caused more Complaints than any other matter under the control of the board. Mr. Trafford emphasised that he was not making a complaint, but merelyasking for information on behalf of country people who brought patients to the hospital He said that in connection with two recent admissions on the direction of Dr Ellis, from the Waikohu County, there had been delays of nearly an hour. He did not know whether any part of the delays was due to the drivers’ lack of knowledge as to how to go about securing admission for patients.

Prompt Attention For Cases

The medical superintendent. Dr. R. J. B. Hal! said that there should be no undue delay in admitting cases, as the drivers could hand cases over at the casualty entrance The subsequent treatment of the cases would depend to some extent upon their urgency, but there should be no neglect or failure to give attention in any case. The matter was discussed briefly with a view to improving the system of advising drivers of cars upon the correct procedure upon arrival at the hospital Mr. G. W Armstrong suggested that an important factor must be the enterprising spirit of the inquiry office staff. It was very necessary that patients should have the assurance of being taken over bv the hospital organisation and not left to feel that they were being ignored Prompt attention and advice from the inquiry office staff could do much to improve the situation. On the motion of Mr. H. H. Barker, the board referred the issue to a special committee dealing with medical stalling which was empowered also to consider rules governing the admission of patients, as submitted by the medical superintendent.