HOSPITAL ALMONER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 194, 18 July 1939, Page 8

HOSPITAL ALMONER

APPOINTMENT TO BE MADE. The Palmerston North Hospital Board, yesterday, decided to appoint an nliuoiier, though a decision had been made at the annual meeting against the appointment. The opinion was expressed by those favouring the proposal that it would result in a sating to the institution and enable the earlier discharge of many of the patients. In introducing the matter, Dlr J. Hodgens, DI.P., said that it had been fully discussed, hut what had impressed him had been a precis by the managing secretary of the proceedings at a meeting of district nurses in which Miss Lambic, Director of the Nursing Division, had supported the suggestion for the appointment of an almoner. It. would mean a lot in co-ordinating district nursing work. Dlr J. H. North, the medical superintendent, had said how convenient it would be to have a leading and guiding influence over tho district nurses. The officer could collaborate with him and make inquiries regarding home conditions where the discharge of a patient was being considered.

'l’he motion was seconded by Dlr Dl. E. Porroau. Dir G. A. Dlonk believed that in a well-run hospital there was a demand for such an officer. Dfr North had said how it would assist in getting patients out of hospital very much quicker. It would remove any doubt as to home conditions. The speaker believed that tho best person available would be appointed : also that the cost would he small compared with the savings to the hoard.

“I am rather surprised that this question is being opened again after a majority of the hoard decided that the appointment should not take place,” said Dlr V. E. Smith. Nothing new hud been brought forward to alter his opinion that tho appointment was not required. It would result in overlapping and an extra expense to the board of about £SOO to £6OO a year that would fall on the taxpayers. They had a social welfare officer and eight district nurses, and now they proposed an additional person to look after them, lie opposed the motion. The chairman (Dlr J. A. Nash) : One thing that Dir Smith has overlooked is the increase in expenditure by this board. Our increase in hospital has gone up from 12s a day to 18s a day and it is costing us Gs a day for each patient. Dir Nash said that lie could see no reason why they should not inquire into the home conditions, as they were a matter influencing the discharge of a patient. If only two extra patients were sent out each week that would bo a very substantial saving over tho year. Those who represented local bodies should take advantage of something that was going to rcduco expenses, and the appointment of an almoner would do that.

Dir T. Green pointed out that the same reasons had been brought forward by their advisers when tho appointment of the district nurses was under consideration Now they wanted someone to help them in their work. Support for the proposal was voiced by Dlr DV. Howell. Dlrs 51. Aitchison heartily supported the proposal, which she said would assist the administration.

'llie proposal had been before the board some months ago and been rejected, said slr (.’. P. Jensen. It appeared that when they saved in one direction they spent in another. DYhcn the matter was put to a vote it was carried, 51r Smith expressing n wish to have his name recorded as a dissentient.