THE STRATFORD HOSPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1933, Page 2

THE STRATFORD HOSPITAL.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—l wonder if you could spare me a little space to find an answer to what appears an eccentricity on the part of a former patient of the Stratford hospital. Nor does he stand alone. Instead of complaining to the right quarter,.namely the nurses, sisters or matron, one finds these people waiting until after leaving, then voicing their grumbles to the public. This, of course, naturally detracts from the high value of the esteem in which the hospital and staff are held. There are many privileges now barred to the patients which used to afford a great deal of pleasure. At different times we have had some very good talent in the ward, ranging from singing to violin and mouth organ playing and even the much abused gramophone, and to the patients they have been “a little bit of Heaven,” always appreciated. To a convalescing patient music is a wonderful thing, and if he has not felt very well, at his immediate request, all sound has ceased. As his fellow sufferers have a sympathetic bond, they naturally wish to do their utmost to help. Unfortunately recently some patient in the men’s ward apparently found the music annoying (notwithstanding the fact that he ofttimes joined in himself) and whether from super-sensitiveness or inability to convey his wish to the neighbouring patients, or to the nurse on duty, suffered this grave irritation without mentioning it until, having left the hospital cured, he met some member of the board and voiced his annoyance. Now we have this rule: “No whistling or singing allowed in the ward.” It seems to me that the public who at any time may become inmates of the institution are robbing themselves, through their own stupidity, of many little pleasures.—l am,, etc.,

“CONVALESCENT.” Stratford, August 11.