WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20251, 10 May 1929, Page 13

WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD.

ISOLATION WARD PROBLEM.

NEED FOR IMPROVEMENTS.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Thursday.

The first meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board as at present constituted was held to day. Most of the members had been returned unopposed at the recent elections. Mrs. Bridget Scott, Kawhia, and Mr. A, Livingstone, Whatawhata, were welcomed as new membors. Statistics with regard to the patients treated in the Waikato Hospital during last year were submitted by the medical superintendent, Dr. M. M. Hockin, the figures showing a large increase in the number of patients treated. There were no deaths under anaesthetic.

The superintendent said all the wards had been fully occupied during the year and congestion had occurred in the children's ward. The tubercular patients were making good progress and the results of the treatment were most encouraging. The numbers of patients treated in the subsidiary hospitals were: Matamata, 178; Te Kuiti, 329; Huntly, 162; Kawhia, 44. The board passed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Matthew Henry, of Hamilton, for his efforts ill securing a piano for the benefit of the tubercular patients in the Bailey ward. Messrs. H. A. Bell, J. Price, J. J. Ryburn, T. Ilinton and the chairman were elected to the House and Finance Committee. Mr. C. .T. W. Barton was elected as chairman of the "Visiting Committee". The need for enlarging accommodation in the isolation wards of the Waikato Hospital was stressed at the meeting. Mr. C. J. W. Barton introduced the following recommendation of the Visiting Committee: "That the House and Finance Committee confer with Dr. Hockitig and the architect regarding improvements to the old portion of the isolation ward." He added that the medical superintendent was of opinion that the ward was quite unsuitable for the purpose for which it was built.

Sir. J. J. Ryburn said the scarlet fever and isolation wards were undoubtedly overcrowded and something would have to be done. The verandahs were also closely packed and the nurses carried on under conditions which were vory trying to them. The recommendation was carried unanimously. Tenders were to have been opened by the board to-day in connection with the proposal to spend £IO,OOO on the erection of a maternity ward at the main hospital. The board held a discussion in committee and decided not to proceed with the project at present. The tenders sent in were not opened and are to be returned to the contractors concerned.