AUCKLAND HOSPITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19832, 30 December 1927, Page 11

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL.

WORK OF THE PAST YEAR.

TOTAL OF 8600 IN-PATIENTS.

ACTIVITIES OF AUXILIARY. At the Auckland Hospital the year 1927, although not marked by many outstanding events, has been an exceedingly busy one. In 1926 a total of 7564 patients were admitted. This year the total will be well over 8600, or more than 1000 in excess of last year's admissions. On the whole the year was free from any serious epidemics, although measles and mumps were very prevalent in the springtime. There were the usual number of scarlet fever and diphtheria cases which occur at all seasons of the year. A very large number of accident cases, particularly arising from motor accidents, have had to be dealt with. The largest number of patients in the hospital on one day was 625, and the record number of admissions for one day was 43. The daily average was about 24, and the average length of stay in the hospital of a patient was 21 days, which is comparatively low. / During the year there came into existence the Hospital Auxiliary, an organisation which has already given valuable assistance to the work of the hospital, and which seems destined to do still moro important work in the future. It satisfies a want that was much felt before its formation.

Providing Extra Comforts. One of the main objects of the auxiliary in to provide small extra comforts for poor patients. It also seeks to assist their dependants, as, for instance, by providing clothing for children. The hospital authorities have found the public very sympathetic toward the work of the auxiliary, and a constant supply of goods for the use of patients is sent forward to the depot that has been established at the entrance to the nurses' home. The work of the auxiliary is carried on by a dozen special committees. The Sunshine Committee arranges for girls to spend some time playing with the babies, and this has proved a great aid in keeping the children happy and amused. The Investigation Committee, consisting of prominent social workers, inquires into any cases of distress brought under its notice. A patients' library, now linked up with tho auxiliary, has been conducted for some time by tho City Mission under the Rev. Jasper Calder. It has a good library of interesting books, and these are taken round by voluntary helpers on travelling book cases, so that patients may have the opportunity to choose their books. Similarly there are Distribution, Depot, Entertainment, Sewing, Wireless, Badges and Motor Committees. Two Active Branches.

The president of the auxiliary, which has two very active branches, is Mrs. Alfred Kidd. Mrs. W. C. Coldicutt, Mayoress of Onehunga, is chairwoman of the Onehunga branch, which takes special care of the Auckland Infirmary, and did excellent work there lately in providing individual wireless equipment for over 70 beds in the shelters., Tho Mount Eden branch, which is also very active, has as its chairwoman the Mayoress, Mrs. E. H. Potter. Among other, work, this branch provides motor-cars at intervals for taking convalescent patients for drives. The Rotary Club also gives valuable assistance in the same way, and takes patients out weekly. It is hoped later to extend the work of the auxiliary into country districts, where local committees may be set up.

Most Populous District. The district served by the Auckland Hospital, extending from Port Albert in the north to Mercer in the south, contains about 240,000 people, and is the most populous hospital district in the Dominion. The ordinary proportion of general hospital beds is three per thousand of population, and of beds for infectious diseases one per thousand. In neither case are the beds at the Auckland Hospital up to that standard. Altogether there are 650 beds, of which 90 are available for infectious .cases. The hospital has a staff of 14 resident medical officers, 36 honorary visiting physicians, surgeons and specialists, and a nursing staff of 215. One of the principal needs of the hospital is an administrative block, which would house the dental hospital, at presont in Kitchener Street, and also an out-patient department. The work of the out-patient department during the past year has been increasing in much the same proportion as has the in-patient work.