AUCKLAND HOSPITAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1494, 17 July 1912, Page 6

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL.

IS IT OVERCROWDED P (By Tcleeraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, July IG. The Auckland Hospital is chronically overcrowded, said the Rev. H. Kobjohns, of St. Matthew's Church, to a "Herald" representative yesterday. "Many patients .'aro being retained who really aught '0 be in a consumptive or incurable home. This is hampering the true function of the hospital, and increasing the difficulties of administration. Tho trustees of the Knox bequeyt apparently are in no hurry to construct the home provided' for by this handsomo donation, and consequently add to the burden of the hospital and the trials of those incurables outside the hospital itself." "I quite agree as to the need for greater accommodation," said Dr. Pabst (chairman of the Medical Commitlee of the hospital, which acts in an advisory way to the board). "We realised this six months ago, and submitted a report to tho Hospital Board on tho matter: "AVhilc these aro important and neces; sary needs," continued Dr. Pabst, "it is equally important to remember that the hospital is at present in many cases fulfilling the function of a home. We have patients who ought to bo in a convalescent, consumptive, or incurable institution. In my opinion this would relieve much of tho congestion, and allow us to do the real ■ work of a metropolitan hospital. In fact, with the now building proposed, and the immediate construction of the Knox Incurable Home, a consumptive home, and a convalescent home for men, we should have 70 extra beds at our disposal." i ' A prominent medical man, when interviewed, said that the reorsriin.vsa.tion en the lines suggested by the Medical Cmiimittee was absolutely essential. There was not a bed in the accident wa.-d, and in tho event of a tramway or railway smash tiro injured would have to be placed on "shake-downs" cr in corners r l already well-filled wards. "It is an absolute 'disgrace to Auckland." he concluded. The chairman'.of-.the Hospital Bna-d denied the correctness of the statements regarding overcrowding. The hospital, he said, was not even full.