Dr Grabham's Report on Hospitals.

Otago Witness, Issue 1805, 25 June 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

Dr Grabham's Report on Hospitals.

(Fuom Our Own Coihikspondent.) Wellington, June 15.

Dr Grabham's final repoit on the hospitals in the colony was presented to Parliament to-night. In his general remarks the inspector says : — As to the condition in which I have found the various establishments upon my visits of inspection, I may remark that I have seldom had to find fault. The comfort and wellbeing of the patients everywhere receives proper attention at the hands of the resident officers and committee of management, and I have been glad to notice in many plac.es a growing interest taken by the residents in their local hospitals, as evidenced by the frequent visits and gifts of flowers, furniture and ornamental objects The Charitable Aid Bill passed last session is only yet upon its trial, and it is too early to speak as to its working. I regret to observe, however, that under its provisions the whole of the superfluous hospitals are likely to be maintained at the public expense as "separate institutions" The residents in large districts situated far away from any existing hospital, having hitherto taken care of their sick and injured in private dwellings, are very naturally aggrieved at being called upon to contribute to the maintenace of a hospital too far off to be of any material value to them. Theresult will certainly be a demand for the erection in such outlying districts of local hospitals ; thus the new legislation will increase rather than diminish the number of establishments. The difficulty is already showing itself. Where a medical school exists in connection with a hospital, certain cases are admitted for operation by specialists or for illustration of diseases to the students, the patients being often brought from a distant place, and in some instances without much hope of benefit ; and the ratepayers have naturally obobjected to contribute to the cost of a medical school. I have no doubt that under tho new act some check will be placed upon the use of hospitals by improper objects of charity and upon the bestowal of gratuitous treatment upon those who are able to pay a more or less adequate sum for their maintenance. My visits during the year 1885 numbered 27, and I would have paid more but for impaired health, which prohibited my making long journeys by coach. My tour of inspection of hospitals being finished, I look back with great satisfaction upon the con trast which is noticeable between the present state of the hospitals and their condition three and a-half years ago. Everywhere I have been courteously received, my criticisms taken in good part and acted up to without delay, and it is my proud boast that I have never had an angry word with 'either officer or patient.

Reporting specially on the Dunedin Hospital, Dr Grabham says :—": — " My half-yearly inspection of this hospital was made on the 14th January 1886. I have again visited it this day, and had a long conversation with the chairman of the committee upon questions connected with its future management Since my last report the number of patients in residence has varied between 87 and 135, which latter .number was reached in .June last. To-day there are 100 under treat - rnent. Of these 73 are of the male sex. and 27 females. Sixteen of the men belong to the 'refuge' class. My opinion as to 'heretaining of these persons in general hospitals is well known. I need only remark here with much satisfaction that the committee are making efforts to transfer them to <"he care of the benevolent institutions, and that there is a probability o' these efforts being attended with success One of the wards, as u;ual, I found empty and in process of being cleaned ; the others were in their usual good order. The patients with every one of whom T conversed separately, made no complaints to me. In the female wards two probationer nurses arc now learning their duties in addition to tho regular staff. For their accommodation, anr l for the greater comfort of the nurses, a rearrangement of rooms has been effected " After referring to the improvements made and contemplated, Dr Grabham concludes •— " Nothing has yet been done to provide a special ward for children, which is much needed. I may again point out that the lying-in ward is well placed for Mi? use. I strongly object to the existence of a lying-in ward as a portion of a general hospital. If needed at all, which T much doubt, it should be erected elsewhere in fhe city. The diseases of women can br> treated in the ordinary wards, while c experience in midwifery required of medical student? should be gainedfas in London and elsewhere) at the homes of the poor. Dr Roberts continues to occupy the position of resident medical officer in a very satisfactory manner The house steward. Mr Burns, ha? recently returned from i tour of inspection of the hospitals in neighbouring: colonies By tin? niean«. and by availing himself of all the reoont publications relating to such establishments, he has possessed himself of a largo fi inrl of valuable information, which is being rlo\ <,- ed -o the welfare of the Dunerlin Ho«pr.t' A va«t number nf improvemftrt.P carried o'lt luring my period of ottice originated ■•viM 1 'iim and do him much credit I iearn that *inoe the Ist December IWBS1 W B5 rhe «:mv: 'it £100 has been received on " maintenance " account Tho out-patients' chillir.es mor'uoe about £2 10s a month "

The following boycotting notice, found stuck ap or. Mip walls of an Tri^ii town, givp« an idea of 'ho h ran which these epistles usually take — ••Bovcottinp XoHop — Hannah Lewi- and her on, Ayhvnrd Lewis, are row hoycotted Let no ler'.on work for, buy from, or sell to those rmel 'yi'Htits They refuse any ibatoment in 'heir rents They <lefv tbo power of the peopl" Let h.»m tiu-te a little of it 1 - effect* Servants ;-f Bailinagm Hnicp, leave your situation", or •1.-'C S'lopkopppr* of Portumna. Woo.il'ovi\, and Lc ughrcii. ''eal not with 'hose vile Ipspot* or HenUmpn, ceav> to act lor i-hose O»i:i£p Ingot 1 -, unle 1^ mm wi-.li t« be Graziers ami ejittlfdealer'J of Ireland, if )ou buy their stock you may expect Down with landlordism ! Hurrah for the people ' "