THE CARE OF CONVALESCENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143766, 15 April 1912, Page 7

THE CARE OF CONVALESCENTS.

(To the.<sßitor.) Sir, —In the goodktess of his heart the Rev. J. W. Bunion criticises the arrangements made hy our Hospital and Charitable Aid Baard for dealing with such cases as tfeK one he mentions —a destitute woman about to be discharged from the hospital as convalescent, but not sufficiently restored to health to be able to resume domestic work. The medical supe'dintendent recommends her for admission to the Old People’s Home where idle will have a good bedroom, a geuenaus dietary, absolute rest, and residence in one of the nicest and healthiest suburbs of this town. The chairman of the board authorises her reception, but Mr. Burton thinks the place unsuitable and is of -opinion that some private boarding establishment would bo bettor. It is now a good many years since I retired from the chairmanship of the board, and in the meantime conditions haw-e altered very much, hero as well as elsewhere. Time was when the antiquated and insanitary old military hospital was considered sufficiently good for those who had to bo maintained at tho public expense, and the accommodation and food were necessarily rough, though the latter was well cooked and generous. Later on towards the end of the 90’s, wo‘ built- tho present Homo winch the late Inspector of Hospitals, Dr. MacGregor, regarded as almost lavish in its provision for the cocnfort and convenience _ of _ its inmates. Since then the humanitarian spirit heis further developed and to-day our Olid People’s Homo is an institution of which all Taranaki may well be proitd. Not only has the already excellentbuilding been thoroughly renovate* and in many respects improved, but it. is well staffed with thoroughly competent helpers and is under the charjfeof a matron whoso long experience in infirmary and hospital work renders her specially qualified to look after elderly and ailing inmates. I have no hesitation in saying that a convalescent going to the Home for a short stay is better housed, fed and cared for than would be possible in any ordinary boarding-house in New Plymouth, It is difficult to see where the inhumanity, which Mr. Burton suggests, comes in, and I can hardly think that ho is fully acquainted with tho conditions which prevail at the Home. It would not bo a bad thing if more of our townsfolk occasionally paid a visit- to Tttkcpa. Tho model farm and dairy arc worth seeing apart from the residents, who are spending the evening of their lives in comfortable quarters far superior to the homo of the average country settler. Unless I am very much mistaken, tho convalescent about whom Air. Burton writes, has never had better accommodation. —I am. etc., F. P. CORKILL.