ST. HELENS HOSPITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18354, 21 March 1923, Page 11

ST. HELENS HOSPITAL.

NEW BUILDING OCCUPIED.

INCREASED ACCOMMODATION

FINE RECORD OF WORK.

The completion of the new St. Helens Hospital in Pitt Street, and the moveover from the old building, which was effected recently, mark an important event in the history" of this institution. The work done at St. Helens does not receive much public eulogy or attention, but, nevertheless, it is one of the most important in the life of the community for it ensures safe motherhood to hundreds of women of the less well-to-do classes, to whom maternity would otherwise be a verv severe ordeal. The splendid record of St. Helens is well known to these women, and .toi many years past the demand for accommodation has taxed the resources of both staff and hospital to the very fullest extent. Every month patients had to be refused admission, and such a state ot ait fairs is not good in any community. All these difficulties have at last been surmounted, and the new St. Helens is an institution of which any modern city which values its mothers and babies might well feel proud. It is a fine twoatoroyed building, sot in a commanding position, open to sun and wind, and giving splendid views of the western reaches of the harbour. The interior arrangements are all that, could be desired for an institution of tho kind, and the staff is fully appreciative of the boon of up-to-date equipment, large, airy rooms, ample cupboard space, and many labour-saving devices. The hospital contains accommodation for 35 patients, the usual term of their stav being about a fortnight. Already 49 'indoor patients have been booked for the present month, and 27 outdoor cases for attention by St. Helens nurses, so that the new institution is setting off on its busy and useful career with a good swing. The staff has been increased to 24, including 20 nurses in training. The hospital contains eight wards and two nurseries; the latter are places of fascinating interest, with their orderly rows of tiny cots, and wee downy heads nestling into soft pillows email enough to grace a doll's cradle. There is an electric elevator wide enough to take a bed, which will give easy access to the wards on the top storey. There are also rooms for special cases and pre-natal clinics. The 'latter represent a very important feature of the work of St. Helens, ensuring the attention to details of feeding and exercise so vitally important to the welfare of mother and child. Auckland women are taking full advantage of these clinics, no fewer than 125 attending last month, while 63 babies were brought hack to St. Helens by mothers anxious for further advice. An up-to-date isolation ward and sterilising plant are also important features of this thoroughly up-to-date hospital. The kitchen is still situated in the old building, from which the food is sent across in special containers, and served from well-equipped diet-rooms on the ground .and first floor. The old building is to be used as a nurses' home, and it is expected the work of renovation will he put in hand within a few weeks. The accommodation for the nurses will be much improved when tho work has been carried out, and will be more in keeping with the dignity and tone of the new St. Helens.