H.—7a

1884. NEW ZEALAND.

HOSPITALS IN NEW ZEALAND (REPORT ON), BY INSPECTOR OF HOSPITALS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Inspector of Hospitals to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, g IE Wellington;, 9th January, 1884. The number of colonial hospitals remains unaltered since my last report. There are thirty-eight, including the sanatorium at Rotorua. The establishment at Patea was closed at the time of my visit, but has since been reopened. Improvements. A number of enlargements, alterations, and improvements have been effected in the buildings. These are dealt with in the individual reports herewith, and need not be dwelt upon in this place. I would, however, express my satisfaction with the great change for the better which has occurred in the condition of the hospitals since my first visit. The result in many instances has surprised me ; and the favourable manner in which the local Committees and Medical Officers have received and carried out my suggestions has been very gratifying, and has certainly greatly exceeded my expectations. We have now many establishments which, in their arrangements, order, and comfort, will bear favourable comparison with any of the numerous European hospitals with which I am acquainted ; and a spirit of emulation has sprung up in the colony which cannot fail to have a wholesome effect. Some few still lag behind the rest, as may be gathered from my reports ; but I am satisfied that their managers, with so many good examples to copy, will not long be content to allow them to remain as they are at present. Nursing. A very excellent system of nursing is in full operation at the Wellington and Auckland Hospitals, where well-educated ladies may be seen serving their apprenticeship with other " probationers." Trained nurses from these two schools will gradually become distributed in various parts of the colony. The example so well set might with advantage be followed by others of the larger hospitals, whose present nursing arrangements are not in accordance, by any means, with modern ideas. Admission of Patients. I have little to say upon this subject, which was fully dealt with last year; but I would point out a new departure at Dunedin. Here a system has been introduced of charging Is. for each prescription dispensed for out-patients. Although many cannot pay, and others evade payment, yet the result is an addition of about £10 10s. a month to the hospital funds. Great care, I am told, is taken to see that applicants are proper objects of charitable aid, and "not in position to employ a private medical practitioner. This subject is now occupying the serious attention of the authorities of the London hospitals. The following extracts from the " British Medical Journal" of the 19th May, 1883, will be read with interest, and some of the hints given might be taken advantage of in this colony : — I—H. 7a.