HOSPITAL PROBLEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23528, 17 June 1938, Page 10

HOSPITAL PROBLEM

GROWING NUMBER OF PATIENTS ABANDONMENT OF HOME NURSING SOUTHLAND BOARD’S POSITION (Special to Daily Timer) INVERCARGILL, June 16. The growing increase in the number of patients treated in hospital was attributed by Mr T. Golden, chairman of the Southland Hospital Board, to the abandonment of home nursing. “As time goes on, we ssem to have more to do than ever before in making provision for the sick and" suffering and infirm.” Mr Golden said at a meeting of the board today. “A year ago we thought our hospital accommodation would be ample for our needs, but, owing to the great increase in the number of patients, we now have to consider making further provision. That is due to no oversight on the part of this or any other board, but to the ever-increasing number of patients. The increase has been phenomenal and out of all proportion to the population, the number of patients having almost doubled in a few years." Mr Golden said that where previously patients were called upon by doctors in private homes they now preferred to receive treatment in hospital. Modern transport constituted another reason. Injured persons, by means of modem motors, could be quickly and comfortably conveyed to hospital. “ We do not object to the increase in the number of patients,” Mr Golden said, “but finance is our main trouble. We have yet to discover to what extent we will benefit under the national health scheme, but. if that does not relieve the position, we must fall back 'on the ratepayers. The rate is a fairly high one now, although amongst the lowest in New Zealand, but I feel sure that the ratepayers would pay rather than see the efficiency of our organisation affected. The position at present is not so acute, but we must look to the future. The board, I am sure, is quite able to deal with any emergency whicii may arise.”