NATIONAL HOSPITAL DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3662, 20 May 1924, Page 28

NATIONAL HOSPITAL DAY.

OBSERVANCE IN DUNEDIN. With the object of acquainting the public with the inner workings of hospital life and the conditions unuer which modern nurses live, the Otago Hospital Board, on the recommendation of Dr Falconer, has decided upon the observance of National Hospital Day—an anniversary which originated in America in memory of Florence Nightingale, who, apart from her great Work in the Crimea, was responsible for revolutionising nursing in civil hospitals. Yesterday afternoon about 70 xxigh School girls were taken to the. Hospital by Miss Morton, and were conducted over the building by Dr Falconer, who, in a few introductory remarks, pointed out that at the present day the nursing of sick persons was viewed from a preventive aspect rather than from a curative one, and stressed the importance of home nursing for minor cases. Nursing, he added, was a basic training for other professions as well as for matrimony. The girls were shown the X-ray Department, and one of the party was screened, auer which several X-ray plates were interpreted to the girls. The supply of radium was also an object of interest. The openair balcony and the schoolrooms for the children were then inspected, and the visitors were afterwards taken to the Nurses’ Home, where they were entertaind at atternoon tea by the nurses. A number of selections by the nurses’ jazz band were much appreciated, and then Miss Morton, on behalf of the girls, thanked the Hospital authorities, Dr Falconer, and Miss Brown (matron) for their instructive and interesting demonstration and. the nurses for the entertainment which they had provided. The pupils of other secondary schools will be afforded an opportunity of visiting th» Hospital at a later date. THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. As an appropriate portion of the observance of National Hospital Day, a new sun room was opened at the Benevolent Institution, Caversham, on the _ 12th. In years gone by the inmates of this institution have had little chance of enjoying what warmth was given out by a winter’s sun without experiencing the cold winds, and now, through tile generosity ot Mrs W. T. Talboys, a sun room in which, though the outdoor atmosphere may be chilly, the heat of the sun makes conditions very agreeable, lias been placed at their disposal. The room is situated in front of the hospital block, and practically throughout the day it receives the benefit of the sun. The lower portion of the room i° entered from the men’s ward and also from the verandah round the side of the block, and the top portion will be used by the female inmates. Cosy to a degree, and with seats and chairs placed in convenient positions, the addition to the institution is a very welcome one, and one which the old people will no uoubt appreciate to the full. There was a good attendance of friends and relatives at the institution yesterday afternoon when the room was opened, and a photograph of (he late Mr W. T. Talboys was unveiled. The proceedings constituted an appropriate portion of the observance of National Hospital Day. Mr XV. E. S. Knight (chairman of the Otago Hospital Board) said it was very gratifying to see so many present. The new building had been built practically at the instrumentality-of Mrs Talboys, and to., her they were all deeply grateful. The late Mr Talboys _ had always taken a deep interest in the institution. He had been a friend of tne inmates, and had endeared himself to them all for Ills kindness of heart. He had been chairman of the Benevolent Committee and Had filled that position to the utmost satisfaction of all. lie had been followed by Mr J. W. Scurr,

who was worthily filling the position. The speaker concluded by saying that he hoped a greater interest would be taken in such institutions, more especially on the part of the younger people, lie then called on Mr iscurr to open the sun room. Mr J. \Y. Scurr (chairman of the Benevolent Committee) said they bad gathered together for two purposes. The first one was formally to open the addition to the infirmary ward, which was in the nature of a sun room, where the patients could enjoy what sun there might be, a smoke outside, the ward, and a chat with old friends who might be well enough to leave their beds and foregather to talk over “old times. This necessary adjunct had been avaikib.e principally by the generosity Oi Mrs Talboys. who had given sufficient money (with the Government subsidy tnereon) to provide the sun room, and lie could not speak too highly of Mrs laiboys thoughtfulness and kindness. The second uurpose was to do honour to the late respected chairman of the Benevolent Committee, Mr William Thomas Talboys. Mr laiboys was’ elected a member of the Otago Benevolent Trustees on November 6. 1901, and he became chairman on June 20. 1906. He held that office until the trustees became merged into the. Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, which became the Otago Hospital Board on April 1 1910. From that date until his death on July 28, 1923, he was chairman of the benevolent Committee of the board- an unbroken period of service of nearly 22 years. He felt sure that there were hundreds, and perhaps thousands, who had cause to be thankful to Mr Talboys, for all who applied for his assistance receive- 1 nothing but courtesy and kindness. He was most punctilious in the distribution of the board’s funds, and while necessarily husbanding these ho often expended his own private means to assist those who were in distress, but who, iri his opinion, had no real claim on the public purse. Airs Talboys had placed them under a further debt by furnishing them with an enlarged nhotograph of her late husband, and he would have'miHi pleasure in unveiling this alone with Ihe inscription dedicating the sun room. Both of the inscriptions were svinbolicnl of Mr laiboys life. ’lhe one one the photograph being as follows :—“William Thomas" Talboys. member of the Otago Benevolent Institution Trustees from November 6, 1901. and chairman from June 1906’ to March 31. 1910. Chairman of Benevolent Committee of the Otago Hospital Board from April 1. 1910. Died July 28. 1923.” The inscription on the foundation stone at the annexe read as follows “This annexe serves to commemorate tno services to this institution of the late William Thomas Talboys chairman of the Otago Benevolent institution Trustees from June 20, 1906, to March 31, 1910 and chairman of the Benevolent Committee of tho Otago Hospital Board from April 1, lyio until July 28, 1923.” Mr Scurr then formally declared the sun room open, and Mrs W. G Hay unveiled the tablet, and later the photograph which hangs in the main hall. Mr J. M. Gallaway said he had not attended the function with the intention of speaking, but to pay a tribute to the deceased and the work he had done. The late Mr Talboys had the cause of the inmates of the institution at heart, and always put service before "elf. His deeds would ever be remembered. At the of the function afternoon tea was served.