VISITING HOURS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 51, 23 February 1945, Page 5

VISITING HOURS

WHAKATANE HOSPITAL SLIGHT EXTENSION SOUGHT The question of extending the visiting hours in the evening to 8.30 p.m. at the Whakatane Hospital was discussed at the February meeting of the Board last Friday when it was decided to defer further consideration until the September meeting. The upshot of the suggestion was the contention that during the summer months country visitors to the institution found it difficult to arrive in town within the specified hour —7 to 8 p.m* Dr. Dawson stated that any extension of the present period would definitely interfere with the exist, ing routine and make, it too late for patients in settling down for the night. The latest possible time foi visiting was 8 p.m. He asked the Board to recognise the fact also that both visiting nights occurred on operating days, which in turn, was j unavoidable as they had been fixed to coincide with the bus service to the town. Mr McCready said that the farmers had no 4.0 hour week and that frequently it was necessary to go without a meal in order to rush into town to visit the hospital, and then to be only allowed a few minutes with the patients. He. complained of the noise w r hich generally went on after 8 p.m. and considered that no hardship "would V»e imposed on the staff by extending the

"While it may certainly help in some, instances," said the chairman, "1 cannot see myself going counter to any ruling laid down by the medical superintendent." Messrs Muilins and McGougan agreed that an extension might be welcome to many folk, but pointed out the abuses which might result apart from the disorganisation of the hospital staff. Mr McGougan contended that the average farmer if he set himself out to be in aF a specified time, could do it with a little rearrangement of his work. He was sure aiso ? that any person from a distance who sought permission would be able to go a little beyond the specified time. The staff was burdened enough already without any further trouble being inflicted upon them. Other speakers contended- that as the need for the extension only applied to the summer months, there was little point, in pursuing it to finality now. The matter was. therelore deferred for further debate next September. An amendment moved by Mr McCready that the ,existing evening visiting hours be from /.15 to 8.10 p.m. for the months of December, January and February was defeated.