The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1887.

Thames Star, Volume XIX, Issue 5656, 14 March 1887, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1887.

The opinion'expressed by the Hospital Trustees at their last meeting to the effect that it was most desirable that some further provision should be made for the treatment of indigent persons suffering from incurable diseases, is one that is in perfect accord with the views of all. who take an interest in the working of the Institution. So^many cases, have occurred during the past few months in which the urgent necessity for an alteration in the present system has been keenly felt that there is no doubt the matter cannot much longer be postponed, and that some action must shortly be taken towards carrying out some scheme whereby the object desired can be accomplished. The Thames Hospital is not singular in refusing to admit incurable cases for indoor treatment, such being the rule- in all Hospitals throughout the coloray, and the universal consensus of opinion on this point—which we may say is not confined to this colony alone s—is5 —is a convincing proof that all th< $ authorities in making such a stringeiot regulation must have had good and cogent grounds for doing so. An.«other reason why these patients cannot be admitted into our Hospital is; that the Surgeon and Trustees report that all the wards are crowded, and that it would beimpossible to provide room for indigent incurables. The duty therefore of providing the necessary accommodation devolves, as ■' Si. ■ matter of course, upon the Charitable Aid Board, in whose province this class. of patients properly comes. The offer whicE was made by the> Trustees at their last meeting that, in the event of the Charitable Aid Board erecting a separate ward in a suitable place for such incurables, the Hospital Surgeon would attend to them there, is another proof of the willingness of the Trustees to meet the Board in every possible way that will tend to wards effecting economy and efficiency in the administration of charitable aid. The present plan of treating s-uch patients at their own homes is most costly, and falls very heavily indeed on. ratepayers, besides not being so satisfactory for the patients themselves, so far as attendance and comfort aie concerned, as it would be were a system of centralisation effected so: as to bring them all under the personal supervision of the Hospital staff, by locating them under one roof, or as nearly so as possible! The necessity of hiring special nurses to attend such cases as at present exists would be obviated, and the sufferers would receive comfort and attention such as, in very. few instances indeed, they could ever be able to obtain at tjieir own homes. It has been suggested that a new wing be added on to the Old Men's Home, as a separate ward for these incurable cases, and we think this would be an admirable site for many reasons. The primary expense of erecting such a building might be perhaps a matter of a little difficulty, but when we come to consider the saving that would be effected in the cost of treatment, there can be no doubt that it would, in a very short time, be compensated,: to say nothing off,the undoubted greater efficiency that would be gained, to the benefit of * the patients themselves. The whole system of Hospital and Charitable Aid work would by this means be so centralised that the surgeon and the Hospital staff would be able to attend to the hospital patients, incurable cases,! and the inmates of the Old Men's Home in a more efficient and economical manner than has ever Keen feasible in the past. Another advantage that we see in having this addition made to the Home, is that whoever was in charge of this incurable ward, could also exercise a constant supervision over the Old Men's Home, which it must be admitted is in some points greatly needed. We have no desire to be alarmists, but our readers may imagine for themselves what would be the result should a fire happen to break out in tUe Home, after it was locked

up for the night, as it is at present conducted. The presence of some competent person, who would be in charge of both the Home and the j Ward would be a safeguard, which is i highly desirable. We hope, therefore, that the Charitable Aid Board will take the whole matter into their most serious consideration, and in coming to a just and equitable decision, tbey will be actuated solely by a desire to do what is "best for the good of the I whole community. Our only motive in pressing this matter to their notice, is that we firmly believe when such a system of centralisation as we have advocated is accomplished, it would tend to remove all the causes of the disagreements which have existed between the Boards, and which have been a source of much pain and grief to the friends of the Institution.