HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19865, 13 June 1927, Page 6

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION

Sir.—A correspondent signing himself “Ratepayer” makes himself responsible for the allegation that two highly-paid experts nrc now employed at the AVanganui Hospital, devoting their whole time to the X-ray work, whereas he says the same work was efficiently done a year ago by one menu ber of the medical staff “as part of his -duties.” “Ratepayer’» might have gone back a few years to the still happier time, from, purely an economical point of view, when no X-ray work was done at all at the hospital. The X-ray plant has become with every year an increasingly important part of hospital equipment. Its use in diagnosis has been extended and in this way many “exploration operations” have been obviated. Its aid in actual operations enables these to be performed with a speed and a certainty that saves many

Some time ago, the Hospital Board became convinced that it was desirable in the interests of the public that a more extended use ought to be made of this valuable adjunct to surgical science. To that end it is now expending a sum of money to enable it to instal the most up-to-date X-ray plant, including the latest plant for treatment, etc. The Board, in their wisdom, also arranged to secure the services of a radiologist, as teh interpretation of plates is a science by itself, calling for special skill and many years’ experience, not to speak of the various electrical treatments which the new plant will enable to be given by one so qualified. The work done a year ago by the member of the medical staff “as part of his duties” is now done by a radiographer in constantly increasing quantity and at a very moderate salary. The work done by the radiologist was not formerly done at all. Every surgeon had to interpret the plates as best he could with his limited experience. I am informed that the Board was fortunate in securing tho services of such a highly qualified radiologist. If the cost to the public were increased, there might be set against it the great benefit derived by the patients. But I am informed that the revenue from outside patients alone practically makes this particular branch of hospital enterprise self-supporting. A much greater financial return may reasonably be expected when the installation of the new plant is complete and various treatments can be administered. I pen these few lines after making inquiries, as I think it unfair that such misleading statements about such a valuable adjunct to our Public Hospital should go out to the public. FAIR PLAY June 11.