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The new cow-byres and the two small laundries, one at the nurses' home and one for the women's villas, although authorized, as yet have not been commenced, the main difficulty being shortage of labour and materials. Authority has also been given for the installation of the automatic telephones to replace the old manual type of telephone system. Badly-needed additional office accommodation has also been authorized and the matter is in the hands of the Works Department. Plans are completed for the provision of a kitchen and bathroom for C Ward (male). There is as yet no word of the replacement of the laundry, butcher's shop, bakehouse, and engine-room, which have become inadequate for the work required of them, and require new modern up-to-date equipment for the efficient working of the hospital. The nurses' home and several residences have been painted, and the interior decoration of the villas, especially on the women's side, has been continued throughout the year. Amusements and recreation have been catered for as usual. Weekly dances, picture and picnic parties, and church services by various denominational ministers have been appreciated. The Te Awamutu Rotary Club continues to take an active interest in the welfare of the hospital, arranging picture parties to the various theatres, and this is appreciated very much by both patients and staff. In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to all members of the staff for their help and co-operation in the work of the hospital, in maintaining a high standard of service, both medical and nursing, despite staff shortage difficulties. J. D. Hunter, Medical Superintendent.

PORIRUA HOSPITAL I have to submit my report for the year ended 31st December, 1948. The total number of cases under care in the hospital during the year was 2,020, of which 1,655 were committed patients, 354 voluntary boarders, and 11 persons were remanded for psychiatric observation. Admissions for the year numbered 652, of which total 248 persons entered hospital as voluntary boarders. During the year 461 persons (patients and boarders) were discharged, 104 died, and 83 patients were transferred to other psychiatric hospitals within the Division. Of the deaths occurring within the year, 69 per cent, occurred in people of the age of sixty-five years and over. At the close of the year 104 patients were absent from the hospital on probationary leave to the care of relatives or friends. Owing to medical staff shortage there has been some reduction in the amount of extra-mural psychiatric work carried out during the year. .. Psychiatric out-patient clinics at Napier, Wanganui, and Palmerston North Hospitals have only been held at irregular intervals. The bi-weekly psychiatric clinics at the Wellington Hospital and a weekly clinic for psychoneurotic ex-servicemen have been maintained. The number of in-patients under observation or treatment in the psychiatric wards, Wellington Hospital, numbered 461, whilst 1,384 consultations were dealt with at the various out-patient clinics. The shortage of medical and nursing staff personnel continues and made for very real administrative difficulties during the year. The part-time employment of married ex-nurses lessened the burden somewhat on the female side. We are grateful for the help these people have given.

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