CITY DISPENSARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21855, 18 July 1934, Page 12

CITY DISPENSARY

CHARITABLE AD) CASES NO RENEWAL OF CONTRACT FREQUENCY OF COMPLAINTS i A recommendation thar, the contract for the running of the Auckland Hospital Board's city dispensary, intended primarily for charitable, aid cases, should not be renewed after the expiry date in three months' time, was adopted by the hoard yesterday. The Finance Committee forwarded an opinion from the board's solicitors that three months' notice to the contractors was necessary and recommended that the contractors should be informed that the board would probably call fresh tenders. Prescriptions are made up and medical advice is available at the dispensaiy on the receipt of orders from the Belief Committee. Mr. W. K. Howitt said the dispensary at present was not satisfactory. There was frequent overcrowding and complaints were common. A case had recently come under his notice where it had taken three days for a woman with a sick child to see the doctor handling the cases forwarded by the Belief Com- | mittce. \ Mrs. M. M. Dreaver said the dis- | pensary at present was a disgrace and | the cause of daily complaints. "It is a pity this general discussion has developed," said the Rev. W. C. Wood. "The committee's recommendation is merely a machinery clause, enabling the whole position to be reviewod. Improved facilities are certainly j needed.' 1 \