PROGRESS & PROBLEMS OF HOSPITAL: OUTLINE BY DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1950, Page 8

PROGRESS & PROBLEMS OF HOSPITAL: OUTLINE BY DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN

“In seeking a further term of office on the board, I feel it is the duty of every citizen to give service to his city; in other words, everyone should pay his community rent in some form or other,” said Mr R. G. Taiboys, deputy chairman of the Wanganui Hospital Board and chairman of the Works Committee, speaking to the electors at Castleclift. “That service is best given in a direction where, because of certain qualifications, he or she can become a useful member of a board, and contribute something worthwhile to the welfare of the community. “No board contributes more to the welfare state than that which takes care of the health and life of the community. In their hands lies the safe conducting of the young life into this world, watched the health chart of the individual through life and cares foi the aged in their latter days. This care is not just confined to one monthly meeting, which is reported to the people. It covers much other work. It is necessary, therefore, that we standing election should, on these occasions, give to the public some account of our stewardship. I have but five short minutes so I shall condense what I have to say.

“The board has 13 members, eight country and five city members. Although outweighed by country members, I must say that all take a very unbiased view of the work before them. I believe, however, that the country is better provided for in the way of hospital accommodation than the city. Personally, I have always stood for an up-to-date base hospital with smaller country ones. We cannot scatter our services and give the best. Wanganui is the logical centre for the specialised departments. We are equipped to give these and, to a large extent, they cannot be given to the smaller hospitals. SERVICES TO MAINTAIN. “It is not without some concern and worry that these services are maintained, and I shall mention some of these. “(1) Medical staff: Like many more callings the medical profession has had its post-war problems At one stage we had great difficulties in maintaining our usually efficient staff of house surgeons. Thanks to the local B.M.A. and some of the older members of the profession, these were overcome and today in Wanganui we have a hand of young and able medical practitioners, not only in the hospital, but in the community. It took us two years to obtain a radiologist, but the waiting was well worthwhile. “(2) Nursing staff has been dif cult. When we read of hosnitals closing because of lack of staff, we have been fortunate in maintaining the staff we have, and our best thanks are due to the matron, sisters and nurses for the excellent work they have done. They have, of necessity, worked long hours, and some have endangered their health. We thank them for the courageous fight they have put up to maintain the service.

“(3) Other senior departments doing excellent work are the radiological, bacteriological and tuberculosis departments. All are in canable hands and maintain a high standard. “(4) Domestic staff problems have to s n me extent, been overcome by contracting some of the work out, and this has helned us to maintain the high standard existing in the hospital today.

“(5) Of the more outside departments. the ambulance, engineering, laundry, works and outside staff are giving good service. Much as I won l ’ like to, time does not permit me to enlarge on the work of these departments. or many others under the control of the board, and doing excellent work. I feel I must, however, touch on the good w n rk being carried out for people of the Jubilee Home. They, are in good health, and the board is fully alive to the necessity for increasing the accommodation. Unfortunately the control of the building programme is in th** hands of the Health Department. The position, however, is being watched’. THE FUTURE. “Perhaps, however, you are more concerned with the future than what has happened in the past. Our great and major problems are new buildings, maternity hospital gud more accommodation for the aged people. This has, and always will be, a priority problem for whatever board there may be. “As chairman of works, I have seen much of the fight which the Board and our very able executive offk have put up in spite of controls, material and labour shortages, to further our building programme. It has meant many trips to Wellington, long discussions with the architects and the Health Department, but today I believe I can safely say we shall, in the very near future, see some of th work commenced. “Marton people, after years of fighting, might get some satisfaction from knowing that their plans are in course of preparation, and we are to go to Wellington to finalise some further details. More important to this city, however, is the fact that plans and specifications for our own maternity block are finalised and in the hands of the many Government departments, who must first approve before tenders can be called. With this behind us a new nurses* block will be put in hand and so the board will continue their endeavours to provide new buildings. “In conclusion, I desire to recommend to you the candidates of the Citizens’ Association. The sitting members have made a useful contribution to the affairs of the board and well merit election, as also do the two young men who, I believe, will make use f ul members. “Just before I close I would like to record the work of the late Mrs Scott, who, although not connected with the Citizens’ Association, gave long and useful service to the Hospital Board.”