WAIKATO HOSPITAL

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3178, 14 May 1932, Page 5

WAIKATO HOSPITAL

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. YEAR’S ACTIVITIES REVIEWED. A comprehensive report on the working of the Waikato Hospital for the year ended 31st March was submitted by Dr R. S. A. Graham, acting medical superintendent, at the Hospital Board meeting on Thursday. General statistics were shown as follow, those for last year appearing in parentheses:— Patients in hospital Ist April, 1931, 298 (288); patients admitted during the year, 4555 (4307); total receiving treatment 4853 (4558) patients discharged cured, 2180 (2344); patients discharged relieved, JL9O6 (1496); patients discharged unrelieved, 295 (300); patients who died, 197 (184); remaining in (hospital, 31st March, 1932, 275 (298). The daily average number of patients was 270 (270); teh average days’ stay in hospital 21.7 (22.9); deaths within 24 hours of admission, 28; the total number of operations performed was 2235 (2077); there were no deaths under anaesthetic. Statistics of certain diseases and injuries (giving number of cases and

ACCIDENTS. The decrease in the number of serious motor accidents is particularly noticeable. All maternity cases are now admitted to the Campbell Johnstone Ward, it being only on occasion when accommodation wa|s overtaxed that accommodation was overtaxed that main hospital. . In connection with these figures it will be noted that there is again a substantial increase in the number of patients treated during the year. This increase has been an annual feature in the past four years, the extent of which may be gauged from the fact that 1470 more patients were treated this year in the main hospital than in the year ended March, 1928, a 44 per cent increase in the four years. As this increased number cannot be explained by a proportionate increase in the population of the hospital district, it is evident that the present financial depression has caused many more people to avail themselves of the treatment offered in the public hospital. The effect of this increase on hospital finances cannot be ignored as the maintenance and treatment each patient involves, on the average, between £9 and £lO. Unfortunately, therefore, the cost of this increased number of patients nullifies to a considerable extent the effect of the really considerable economies that have been »enforced. REDUCED SERVICES POSSIBLE. As the prices of most essential commodities have apparently reached bedrock, it is unlikely that any considerable savings in maintenance can be made this coming year, and if, therefore, on account of the difficult times through which we are passing, hospital expenditure has to be still further reduced for the coming year, unfortunately it will probably become necessary for the Board to have to consider some restrictions in the services it offerjs to the public, both at the main hospital and in the outlying districts. After dealing with the administration of separate wards, Dr Graham referred to the Campbell Johnstone W]ard as follows: , , “ This is the first complete year s running of the maternity ward, which has achieved imlmediate popularity. It has proved none too large, and on several occasions the whole 17 beds have been occupied and patients have had to be transferred to the mam hospital in order to provide further beds. There were 300 admissions m the twelve months, 15 being ante-natal cases requiring treatment, and 298 babies were born, including two sets of twins. This ward is entirely deficient in sleeping and living quarters for the sister in charge and senior nurses;, who from the nature of their work should sleep in the building, as they are liable to be called up frequently at night, often to deal wtth urgent situations. Meanwhile the sister in charge occupies one of The small side wards, which is only a makeshift, and should be rectified as soon as finances permit. RESIDENT MEDICAL STAFF. There are five house suigeons, which is hardly a sufficient number owing to the increase m work. The opening of the Campbell Johnstone Ward has increased theirl responsibilities, while the larger number of operations has left the staff less ti me for the general work of the hospital. The maintenance of the staff at full strength is becoming an increasingly difficult problem, as insufficient young i doctors are qualifying annually at ■present to supply fully the needs of the public hospitals throughout the country. Accommodation for the house surgeops has been ample this year, owing to the fact that several are living out; It would be hopelessly inadequate otherwise. Since the new storey to the nurses home has been added accommodation has been ample. The health of the staff during the year has on the whole been good. There is no accommodation for drying wet clothes in the building, and a drying room is an urgent necessity. MASSAGE DEPARTMENT. During the year 494 in-patients and 131 out-patients were treated, a decrease of 139 on last year’s total. The lesser number of accident cases admitted, particularly fractures, chiefly

accounts for this decrease; 11,863 treatments were given. Last year the number was 13,551. For the last six months of the year the work has been carried on by two masseuses instead of three, Miss Dawson, who (resigned at that time, not being replaced. The smaller staff has naturally been kept very busy. Owing to the increased use being made throughout the Hospital of certain forms of treatment, namely, radiant heat and diathermy, our present equipment is being overtaxed, and the purchase of a new diathermy machine and an extra radiant heat lamp cannot be long deferred. LABORATORY. The total number of specimens examined during the year was 12,943, representing an increase of 977 on the previous year, and an increase on the previous highest year of 519. The increase was well distributed over all branches of the work, and is partly due to the fact that the doctors of the district are making increased use of the facilities provided. X-RAY DEPARTMENT. The following 'is an analysis of the work done in the X-ray department, with last year’s comparisons: X-ray examinations, 2231 (2548); diagnostic examinations, 2231 (2548); treatments 944 (2175). , ’ OLD MEN’S HOME. Remaining in on Ist April, 1931, 42; admitted during year, 35; discharged, 21; transferred to hospital, 18; diedi, 12; remaining in on 31st March, 1932, 38 The home has been managed satisfactorily, and is nearly always full to capacity. Owing to the number of unemployed men tramping through the district a room with accommodation for four was made available, where a bed for one night and breakfast the next morning were provided for such cases; 720 casuals were thus accommodated during the 12 months. Reference 'is made to plant, furniture, and appliances, and to the water, steam, electricity, and other services at the hospital.

deaths, respectively) are Last Year. Diphtheria 138 6 81 4 Typhoid 8 2 5 — Pneumonia 86 9 103 13 Scarlet fever 42 — 123 3 T.B. (all forms) ... 116 21 124 18 Diabetes , Infantile paralysis 41 8 42 3 1 — 1 — Mental diseases 25 2 36 16 Cancer - 77 17 63 Appendicitis 303 2 260 5 Goitre - Injuries due to ac28 44 1 cidents These include: — 424 10 464 14 Fractures 162 6 192 8 Motor accidents Confinements in the 55 3 89 ii main hospital 8 1 78 2