CHEER FOR PATIENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19209, 24 December 1925, Page 12

CHEER FOR PATIENTS.

CHRISTMAS IN HOSPITAL. GREETINGS FROM THE BOARD. MEMBERS* THOUGHTFUL ACTION. To spend M a merry Christmas" as a patient in a hospital ward is not generally looked on as an experience to be envied. Nor is it, for a stay in hospital can never bo regarded -as a pleasant sort of way to spend one's Christmas holiday. Nevertheless, hospital patients as a rule make the best of a bad job, so that Christmas in hospital may really not be the dismal season that might be expected. If happily the patient has reached the convalescent stage, then he or she may catch the Christmas feeling and nave a tolerably enjoyable time after all

It is not the fault of the nurses if the hospital wards do not look as festive as the occasion demands. Decorations are the order of the day, and all the schemes reflect great credit on the workers. Brightness and colour aro inducivo of the festive spirit, even if physical weaknesses mean spending Christmas Day in bed. In accordance with custom, members of the Hospital Board paid the Christmas visit of inspection to the wards yesterday. The chairman, Mr. W. Wallace, is a wellknown figure to many of the patients who have been unfortunate enough to be some time in the hospital, for he pays frequent visits to the wards. The board members v/cro accompanied by the medical superintendent, Dr. C. E. Maguire, and the matron, Miss Taylor. There are over 400 patients in the hospital at present and nearly all of these the party of visitors were able to greet with a kindly word or two, and pass on the Christmas wishes. An expression of sympathy was also spoken and thp patients themselves obviously appreciated the action of the members of the board. In returning thanks for the greetings, many of them paid high tributes to the work of the hospital, and to the great kind nesses they had received from the medical and nursing staffs. The Princess Mary hospital for children was not forgotten. Christmas presents find their way to the children's wards in surprisingly large quantities, so that this week there aro plenty of smiling young faces in the hospital. The Domain shelters still hold 14 men, whoso condition is a result of war service. The men aro not looking forward to the change in their location to the shelters at the infirmary at Epsom, and asked the chairman what was going to be done. Mr, Wallace said the board did not want to move the men, but the land belonged to the City Council, which now wanted it If the men had to go to Epsom, the board would see that they were made as comfortable as possible. The work of inspection was not finished at the main hospital, for there yet remained the Auckland Infirmary at Epsom and the Alexandra Convalescent Home at Ellerslie. Both these institutions were visited, and the patients were also extended the greetings of the season. CHRISTMAS TREE PARTY. MANY GIFTS DISTRIBUTED. There was a happy gathering in the Princess Mary Hospital last evening when nearly 100 children, in addition to a large number of adult patients, assembled round a Christmas tree in the schoolroom. The part of Santa Claus was ably filled by Mr. S. Donaldson, Mayor of Newmarket, and a great number of presents were distributed to the children. The Christmas tree was organised by Mrs. Donaldson. Between £6O and £7O had been collected, and this sum provided gifts of clothing as well a*s other presents.