CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1926, Page 15

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —It was with great concern I read in your paper this morning a long column reporting a discussion by the Egmont County Council on lack of confidence in the New Plymouth Public Hospital Mr. Green, chairman of the council, states “he did not know whether it was because it lacked the facilities or not,” “that he had received dozens of complaints,” "that good paying patients were going to private hospitals.” For Mr. Green’s personal edification I might state that when the medical superintendent gets the new oxygen outfit, the New Plymouth Hospital will he one of the best equipped hospitals in New Zealand. It has an X-ray outfit and a radiologist second to nope, and a splendidly equipped biological laboratory. If Mr. Green has received the dozens of complaints that he mentions, it is a great pity he did not get them in writing and place them before the board when these people complained. A.s Councillor Young states, it is not fair to criticise now, until the new superintendent has had a chance to settle down, and I ean endorse Councillor Young’s statement that Dr. Clark has the work of the institution at heart and might add that his first consideration is efficiency and the comfort of his patients always. From intimate connection with the hospital I ean say that the attention received is all that may be desired, and, as Councillor Shepherd says, those who growl are "born growlers” or neurotics, and I might add that the matron, sisters and nurses are just kindness itself. During the discussion, Cr. Gibson is said to have stated that "the rules are too hard and fast and it is assumed that all patients are of the same temperament and physique, but everyone of common-sense knows that they ar? not.” I wonder if Councillor Gibson Is talking from experience—has he been an inmate of the hospital? 1 have had one who is very dear to me in that hospital for the last 23 weeks, and have been in and out of there at all times, have spoken to many of the patients, but have heard nothing but praise of the doctors and nurses, and to say that doctors like Dr. Clarke, Dr. Walker and Dr. Home have not the commonsense to differentiate in the physique and temperament of patients is to show how ignorant Cr. Gibson must be of the working of the hospital. When men like the Director-General compliment the board on its efficiency, I don’t think we need worry about dozens of supposed complaints that are so far not substantiated. —I am; etc.,

W. G. BONNER. New Plymouth. Dee. 16.