The Alleged Mismanagement Of Hospital by the Staff.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3596, 20 October 1879, Page 2

The Alleged Mismanagement Of Hospital by the Staff.

Extract from a Report btf the Special Reporter of the Lyltellon Times. Juno 18, 1878. 2. "The amount of expense per head has been compared with the seTerul amounts per head of hospitals in England and of tho hospitals in Dunedin, and in this connection a few facts have been pointed out to me. For instance there aro expenses, such as the cost of erecting buildings and of making largo repairs to buildings, which aro under the control of Government, and tho Hospital authorities have nothing to do with these expenses. In referring to an estimate of £BC ' ) sent in to the late Provincial Government, it was said that there was gross ignorance shown on tho part of tho?o by whom it was made. However, it should in jußtico bo explniucd that when that amount was sent in, it included a sum for the furnishing of tho new apartments for office rs, an amount for the purchase of a very large stock of blankuts, 1 which would last for years, and also a large ' order for drugs and surgical instruments and appliances of the latest kind from England. It also included an amount for "washing : machinery of the bett description for tho laundry, imported from England. In making up tho ojtimates for tho Government, it was further understood that the estimates should not fall short, and that the Hospital authorities should allow for everything. If the year proves an unhealthy one, tho expenses will be more ; if a healthy one, tho expenses will bo less, therefore tho appropriation cou'.d ' nob be reckoned too closely. This year has happened to bo a ve-ry healthy year, the average of patients being 85 par month. The expenso on a small number of people in the hospital is in many respects as great, or about as great as on a larger number, tho institution, for in- ; stance, requiring tho same staff, the same i number of nurse?, the same quantity of coals, the same nultober of foet of gas. Tho hospital included the accommodation afforded by the new ward, has room for 130 patients. Tho reason why the staff has to bo so large, it has been explained to mo, is the way in which tho Hospital is built. Instead of being in one block, it is erected on the new principle of having detached wards with spaces between. On this account it cannot be compared to Duncdin Hospital, which i3 built in tho form of a square, tho principle on which it is built being not only a scientific but a more expensive ono."