TREATMENT OF SICK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20762, 3 January 1931, Page 11

TREATMENT OF SICK.

HOSPITAL BOARD'S WORK.

ACTIVITIES DURING YEAR.INCREASED ACCOMMODATION. As the controlling body of important public institutions in a growing community, the Auckland Hospital Board li.is had its attention occupied during the past year by the provision of further accommodation for . hospital treatment. In this respect the year has been a notable one in the history of the board, for it. has seen the fulfilment, or, at least, the near approach to fulfilment, of plans by which it is hoped to relieve the position at the main hospital. Built 011 the western slope of the hospital grounds, the infectious diseases block is now on the verge of completion. With its accommodation for 60 patients, the block of three storeys, estimated to cost £35,039, will fulfil a need which has grown with the population of Auckland. The advisability of erecting the building on its present site was a subject which occasioned a considerable diversity of opinion from the outset, but the work was proceeded with, and the block will soon be occupied. Should the occasion demand it, the building will accommodate considerably more patient;; than the number for which it is designed, for the space is in no way restricted. Block at the Infirmary.

The construction of an additional block at the Auckland Infirmary, Epsoin, for the accommodation of chronic and bedridden male cases, to relieve congestion at the Auckland Hospital, was recently approved by the Minister of Health. Numbers of chronic male cases are at present occupying beds urgently needed in the main hospital, and their removal to the new block at the infirmary will give more room for ordinary patients. The board's architects have been instructed to prepare plans and specifications for the building, which will probably be erected 011 similar lines to the block at present housing female inmates. It is estimated to cost from £25,000 to £30,000 and will have space for 100 beds. The need which will be met by the increase in accommodation was stressed by the medical superintendent, Dr. C. E. Maguire, in his annual report last May. Each year the number of admissions increases, and we are always being faced with the question of providing more accommodation," he said. " During the year 9672 patients were admitted, which with the 640 patients in hospital at the end of the previous year made a total of 10,312 in-patients treated, the largest number in the history of the institution." Average Stay in Hospital.

Referring to the average individual days' stay in the hospital of 23.69 which compared favourably with 24.15 in the previous year, Dr. Alaguiro said the number was still too high, and a reduction could not be expected until some suitable accommodation was made for patients suffering from chronic and incurable complaints, a large number of whom was always in the hospital. As with other departments of the hospital, the work of the casualty branch has increased to such an extent that it was found necessary during the year to provide improved facilities in the basement of the Wallace block, which by August had been converted for the purpose. The waiting accommodation was inadequate when the department was situated in the main building, but the basement of the Wallace block has been converted to provide 'a good-sized wait-ing-room and several cubicles for examination purposes. Another important matter in connection with hospital conditions raised during the year was that of the kitchen arrangements, which were strongly criticised by the board.during the consideration of a report by the House Committee, which stated that the main kitchen had been condemned frequently previously and was in a most deplorable condition. The opinion was expressed that the whole of the kitchen should be renovated immediately and most of the apparatus scrapped. The matter has been referred to the Building Committee to take immediate action and to have plans prepared. North Shore Hospital. The question of establishing a public hospital 011 the North Shore was one which was before the board on various occasions during the year, and in August the Building Committee was asked to consider a scheme. Since then the question has again been raised, the chairman, Mr. W. Wallace, stating that the time would come when the board would have to establish a hospital at North Shore, but to establish a highly-equipped base hospital tJiere was out of the question. A confidential report, prepared by Dr. Shore, inspector of hospitals, setting forth his views regarding the future policy of the board in connection with building and extensions, has been referred to the Building Committee, which is to meet at a conference with Dr. Shore and the deputy-Director-General of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt. The proposals in the report cover the building requirements of the board for the next 10 or 12 years. In May the board decided to raise its fee for hospital treatment from 9s to 12s a day, which is the charge of all other large hospital boards of the Dominion. It was stated that, hospital treatment was being availed of more and more by persons able to pay a higher fee than was then charged. The relief activities of the board increased as the year progressed, particularly in connection with unemployment, which it has been constantly maintained should be a charge on the national exchequer.