EMPTY BEDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26530, 4 August 1947, Page 4

EMPTY BEDS

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM ACUTE STAFF SHORTAGE Those persons at present on the waiting list would not be admitted for some considerable time unless the acute staff shortage was quickly alleviated, reported the secretary, -Mr P. D. Edmonds, to the monthly meeting of the Waipiata Sanatorium Committee. He added that at the time of the meeting there were 25 patients’ beds empty. The shortage of nursing aids and domestics was the most dimcult problem, said the secretary. The usual staff of 28 nursing aids was down to 16, and there were only eight domestics of a full staff of 13. Members expressed concern at the seriousness of the position, and agreed to see what could be done in their own board districts to relieve the shortage. The meeting was attended by Messrs E. Macdonald (chairman), T. Golden, W. Bringans, J. W. Miller, R. Oakley, J. Rodman, W. Sutherland, B. A. Todd and Dr G. O. L. Dempster. The medical superintendent, Dr A. Kidd, reported that during the month of June, 18 patients had been admitted, 20 were discharged, and 122 were in the institution at the end of the month. He recommended as suitable for admission to the sanatorium two patients from two districts.

The secretary reported that on July 28 the Associated Boards had patients in the institution as follows: —Southland 58, South Canterbury 32, Ashburton 4, Waitaki 13, South Otago 6, Vincent 9, Maniototo I—a total of 123. Since the prewous meeting five patients from four hospital districts had been discharged, and there was a waiting list of 15 patients from four districts, one patient having been notified that a bed was available.