MORE BEDS OCCUPIED

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 17 June 1935, Page 6

MORE BEDS OCCUPIED

HAWERA HOSPITAL INCREASE. REPORTS AT BOARD MEETING. An increase of over 20. in the daily average of occupied beds during the last month at the Hawera Hospital, compared with the same month last year, was reported by the medical sueprintendent (Dr. J. Cairney) at a meeting of the board this morning. It was mentioned that for the first time for a considerable period it had be oil, necessary- to commission ward 2 for the overflow of patients. The superintendent said be could give no reason for the increase. There was no epidemic and it was simply one of those inexplicable increases which occurred periodically. Those present were Messrs J. S. McKay (chairman), E. J. Gifford, W. Cr. Simpson, S. J. Bennett, E. A. Washer, A. G. Larcom, I. J. Bridger and L. 0. Hooker.

The superintendent reported that there were 6S patients in hospital at the end of April. During Alay 104 patients Avere admitted, AA’hile 85 were discharged or died. The number of patients .remaining at Alay 31 Avas S 7. Tho daily laverage of occupied beds for Afhy, 1935, Avas 77.1, compared with 55.1 for tho same period last year. This meant a daily average of 2.G patients to each of the nursing, staff. In the X ray department, treatment was gi\-en to 2G hospital eases and six private cases. In the physiotherapeutic department 34G treatments were giA-en. One hundred and thirty outpatients attended during the month and 393 treatments Avere given. Sixteen patients had been in hospital eight Avecks or more. . The farm manager (Mr P. AlcDonald) reported that 517 gallons of milk, G2 jiints of cream and 2041 b. of bacon had been supplied to the- hospitals Ninety-three gallons of milk and 381 b. of bacon had been supplied to the Old People’s Home. There Avere 19 men at the Old People’s Home, reported the master (Mr P. Rastall). Two Avere in hospital, but all the other men Avere well. Thanks were extended to Air Elliott and the girl pupils of the IlaAver.a. Technical High School for the donation of papers.

The engineer (Mr M. Smith) reported that both boilers had been under steam during the month, and each had been blown down land cleaned. The laundry was in good working order, and had been free from trouble. The rewiring of the clocks was being carried out as time permitted. The clocks had given no trouble during the month. The hot water system supplying the Water for the inmates’ bath at the Old People’s Home had failed to supply enough for the demand, and he suggested that this system should be put on a 24-hour service instead of a 20hour service as at present, as it did not recover sufficiently when the water was drawn ofF. All massage and X-ray equipment had been inspected and was in good order. A sub-committee was appointed to investigate the hot water system at the Old People’s Home.