"WRETCHED CONDITIONS"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23123, 23 August 1938, Page 10

"WRETCHED CONDITIONS"

OLD WARDS AT HOSPITAL NEED FOR PROMPT ACTION " I must confess that I have been ashamed to see the wretched conditions that are mentioned in the departmental report. They are an outstanding disgrace to the boards of the past," said the chairman, Mr. Allan J. Moody, at a meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board last night when a report following the annual inspection of the hospital by officials of tho Health Department was received. After congratulating the administrative staff on the many improvements that had been made, the departmental report stressed tho urgency of ceasing to use tho old wooden wards for tuberculosis patients and expressed the opinion that the annexe to Ward 2 was not suitablo for psychopathic patients. The casualty and out-patients clinic were quite insufficient in area and equipment. Commenting on tho report, Mr. Moody said he *vas surprised that someono in the past had not pulled down tho old wards. As for tho casualty department, tho less that was said the better it would be although ho realised that only temporary facilities were provided. He felt disposed to call a special meeting of the board to make more adequate and satisfactory arrangements. Similar views wore expressed by several other members, who emphasised tho necessity for prompt action.