OUR HOSPITAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2389, 19 February 1915, Page 6

OUR HOSPITAL

ITS AFFAIRS REVIEWED

BY DR. HARDWICK SMITH

SOME SUGGESTIONS

During his term of office as medical superintendent of the Hospital. Dr. Hardwick Smith, by reason of his professional skill, able administration, and uniform courtesy, has endeared himself to a largo section of the Wellington community. In view of the fact that he has now handed over the reins as superintendent to Dr. W. J. Barclay, Dr. Smith was asked to "say something" about the institution and its affairs of which ho has been the hub for six years past.

"One of the greatest changes in the administration of the Wellington Hospital came about," said Dr. Smith, "when the system of trustees was abolished and the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board came into office._ The former undertook the administration of tho Hospital alone,-but the latter has had a much greater scone for its activities. The old Hospital Trustees was a very efficient body, and I remember with what interest and - care they' undertook the work of the Hospital. Thev were small in number, so that a great deal of work fell on each individual trustee, and often they would work all the afternoon, stay to tea, and then work durir.c the evening. "When the present Hosnital and Charitable Aid Board took office they included in their work not only the work of the former Hospital Trustees, but also the old Hospital District Board and the Charitable'Aid'Board. Added to thesp many duties they have .become .the health.ai'thnrities for infectoius dispice in tlie Wellington, district. From this list it can hp sepn tTnt.tT"; Fospi-t-nl and Charitable Aid Board is _ a board with v«lry arduous duties, which arp very oTie'entlv carried ou't. '

"I would like to add that it is verv largely due to these nuhlic-spiriW ladies and gentlemen and their predecessors. the old trustnes. that the, Wellington Hospital has had tl->e renutation nf hein? one of th«v r»"?i "tfiripntlv conducted hospitals in the Dominion; Dr. Ewart's f.egacy. "When Dr. Ewart left the Hospital he left a legacy of thoroughness of administration wtich made it comparatively easy for me to continue his work. He suggested certain improvements to the trustees, and it became my duty to aid in carrying them out. These improvements consisted in the building of a new Infectious Diseases' Hospital and a new Children's Hospital. These new. buildings, with _ the new outpatients' and pathological block and a small diphtheria ward constitute the new buildings which have been' constructed and opened since I have been at the Hospital. , "Tho Infectious Diseases . Hospital has been found to be of great benefit to the district. Since it commenced to receive patients some years ago only two patients have died from scarlet fever. Such a low _ percentage has never been surpassed in any other fever hospital to my knowledge either in Australasia or the Old Country. Tho Children's Hospital wa-s the result of tho public-spirited giving by the citizens of Wellington, and it is, not necessary to relate its history, as it is too recent. Everyone knows how the then Mayor and Mayoress ' (Mr. and Mrs. Wilford) started to raise a fund for the purpose of a Children's Hospital, and how the public of Wellington responded so well,'and how the Hugh Ward theatrical company, which happened to be acting in the city, hacked up the Mayor and Mayoress's appeal In a matter of three weeks over £7000 had been given for the purpose of a Children's Hospital. With that money, together with the Government subsidy, the present Children's Hospital, wiled the King Edward VII Hospital, was' built and opened. , _ ' "The Wellington'public should be, and no doubt is, very proud of this:hospital, for it is a wiry up-to-date building, and has done a great deal of good work, especially known to those who have been mdst intimate in its working.-

Dealing With Out-patients. "Some fow years ago the Hospital Board realised that the old out-patients' department was not largo enough to cope with the out-patients, also it did not grant facilities which our present knowledge demands for the treatment of cases. They decided on building a •new, up-to-date, out-patients' depart-' ment, and placing under the same roof a pathological block and a new' main dispensary. This was done, and now tho public of Wellington has a thoroughly up-to-date out-patients' department and a bacteriological and pathologicalblock second to none in the Dominion, l'n this latter department Mr. Hurley's conducts both the hospital and Government work, under an agreement entered into by the Government and the Hospital Board. The Hospital dispensary is a. department which has grown with tho Hospital, and now tho chief dispenser and bis staff . make many' of our drugs and manufacture ointments and other materials necessary for dispensing, and thus save the Hospital authorities much money. "Two other departments-1 must mention; These • are the dental department, which has been in vogue for the last few months, and the new tuberculous campaign, which is abiiut to commence when Dr. Basil Adams, an expert in the administration and treatment ."' of- tubefculosis, arrives . from Home. ■ "The. dental department has "been housed 1 in the old out-patients' department, and tho dentists in the town have undertaken to. help as honorary dental surgeons.' This dental departmbent is up to date in every way. The board, in inaugurating a dental department. realised the importance of oral hygiene iu« tbe economy of the people. This department will bo found of inestimable value to those whose means do not permit them seeking the advice of our best dentists, • •.. "The appointment of a tuberculosis officer is tho result of ; an energetic campaign, conducted by tho board over a long period. Finally, they decided to start a dispensary for chest diseases, and to obtain an expert officer to preside over this dispensary and the sanatoria. Up to the present, tuberculosis patients :have been drafted by the medical superintendent to Otaki, and there thov have been treated in the,sanatorium by tho board's medical officer at that place. Though these patients have been under the advice of onr expert at Otaki the appointment of a whole-timo expert - will enable this officer to have under his control all branches of the treatment of tuberculosis.

internal Changes. The board have made several internal changes in the working of tlio Hospital, notably the change from gas to electric light ' Previously all: tho wards were lit by '"as, and the instruments and bowls in the wards sterilised by means of water heated by gas. Now _ the whole Hospital is lighted bv electricity, and the instruments and bowls in tho wards sterilised by steam. • "The board have appointed an engineer to supervise all this work, and ho and his staff are responsible for all the lieiiting and lighting, in tlio Hospital. c<ince the appointment has taken place the work has been increased, and now t,[i C whole Hospital is ' very efficiently served bv this new department.' I would like to state, finally, that,'in leaving the Hospital 1 feci I am lew-

iiiE a very loyal and efficient staff for mv successor to work with. The Hospital Board has always been, a great help to me, and I count some of my best friends amongst its d ambers.

A PRESENTATION. . LATE .SUPERINTENDENT HONOURED. At the monthly meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid :3oard, held yesterday afternoon,.the members formally bade good-bye to Di. Hardwick Smith. In expressing the sentiments of tho board towards its !iate hospital superintendent, tho chairman (Rev. \\ . A. Evans) said that it w's impossible to come closely in oontact with such a man as Dr. Hardwick Smith in connection with ihe Hospital and its dependent institutions without tho feeling that iu dropping out he ivas leaving a large hole behind. The history of Dr. Smith's connection with the Hospital was tho history of the board, and its policy was indelibly .associated with Dr. Hardwick Smith, as the board acted to a very great extent on the suggestions and guidance of it 6 medical superintendent.-' It was one thing to be a professional man and quite another to be-a man with a profession. In one case the profession absorbed the man, but just as al'ten as not tho man a.bsorbed the profession to the detriment of the man. Dr. Hardwick Smith was iirst of all a man. That was shown in tho large number of reports he had furnished the board from timo to time containing, a large element of humanity. His thoughts were ever bent on benefiting and improving the conditions of the Community. To part with such a man carried- with it the. element of pain, not, however, unmingled with the element of pleasure, as once the true spirit of friendship had been created it was never lost, and he was sure that the best, ad nee Dr. Hardwick Smith could gwe the board would always be at its disposal. It was fit, and proper that the board should give ihe doctor a memento of the happy times they had experienced, together, and he asked his acceptance of a handsome album, bound in dark maroon leather, containing an.appreciative, address and the photographs of members of the board. Mr. D. Campbell, on behalf of the Charitable Aid Committee, also added a tribute to the late superintendents warm interest and unfailing courtesy and consideration in respect to all matters concerning charitable aid.

Tangible Appreciation. The text of the address was as follows:— ..

"To Henry Hardwick Smith, Esq., 8.A., Cantab. M.8., London, M.R.C.S., M.R.C.P., E.R.C.S. "Dear Sir—We, the members of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, 'desire to convey to you oirr hearty appreciation of the faithful and valuable services you have given to the board and to the ..community generally, during the six years in which you have held the onerous position of ; Medical Superintendent of the Hospital and General, Superintendent of all the-in-stitutions under the control of the board. During your tenure ,of office these institutions have undone many important changes and .est ..sions, involving the expenditure of a large amount of capital, notably yhe K.ing Edward VII Hospital fof- Cl .dren, ,the extension and improvement { the outpatients', department, the £ivction of the Pathological Block, and Jie establishment of an up-to-date dental _ department. In all these undertakings you have proved yourself to bo a wise counsellor, a painstaking and reliable administrator, and olio who framed his plans in the present in view of. the future needs of. an ever-growing and developing community. The many valuable, reports you have presented to tho board on important matters dealing with the public health h«6 .been- _of great value ,to the members in helping them to deal intelligently with questions that vitally "affect the well-being and the welfare of the community; In the internal organisation and administration of the Hospital jour personal character and vour professional status have won the respect and confidence of the staff under your charge, and this has re-, ceded/upon the general efficiency of the institution by producing an atmosphere that ..fosters personal loyalty and cooperation among all who. have to do with the patients and with the suffering ■public. In the cure and treatment of the patients you havo_ ever manifested a courtesy, tact, and kindness that have won their confidence an 1 £steom, and so you, have not only maintained the liicrli standard of treatment which ha-s won for the Hospital tho jeputation of being among the first in New Zealand, but you are leaving it with its reputation enhanced by your broad hujnanity, your personal integrity, and professional skill. In leaving the service of the hoard you carry with' you the best wishes of the members for a long and useful career in the profession to which you have devoted your life, and m wishing you prosperitv and happiness we would' include also Mrs. Smith."

Some Suggestions. • 'Dr. Hardwick Smith said that be' had been a membor: of the Hospital, staff—lie had almost saad Hospital Board—for some six years, during which tiro© he had always felt that- the members of the board were his friends. They ; Kad not only been his masters, but his colleagues and helpers, who-had helped in no small measure m the achievement of splendid and efficient work. Wlien he took offico ho had been happy and lucky .in having Mr. u. M. -Luke to father him, and when tho board was reconstituted, and Mr._Evans had taken on the chairmanship, he bad in a similar manner received' much brotherly advice and sympathy from him. In the arduous work of administering a big institution like ; the ?»ellinHon Hospital there were times when one felt despondent and discouraged, sud at such times he, had found that Mr was one to' whom- he could ccrrie and unburden bis soul. In severing his connection with tho Hospr^ were one or two, suggestions i >• ' like to make. . The General A was very overcrowded. Some yea r. when Dr. Ewart was leaving, he >r"<presented a scheme for enlarging ; ! . - Hospital, which had not been : vupon, and he was afraid - s , ''t a legacy of a very overcrowded ho.-■ „;1 to his "successor; He was. pretty sire that they could not go on with the "vork for another five or sis years without an .enlargement of the main hospital. Ho was also afraid that another operating theatre was needed. At . present they had to take clean and septic cases in tho same theatre, which was not -up-to-date or desirable from a medical point of View. He knew they were going to have a new kitchen arrangement. That was a part of the internal arrangement of the Hospital about which ho was particularly keen, and he was almost sorry lie woiild not be concerned, as-be would like to see it arranged on scientific lines. Another matter he. would like the board to take up was the treatment of children, not children who were actually ill or convalescent, but the weaklings and those . who were'' seedy and run down, and needed attention under skilled supervision. In such cases ft medical man often recommended six months' freedom from the confinement of the schools. These children were allowed to run about the street, and sometimes benefited by that physically but* not mentally. At Homo they now had what were called Recovery Schools for such children, really open-air' schools whore thov were given physical training combined with a certain amount of mental training,- and the results achieved had been extraordinarily suc : cessful. It was so essential to look after the children, for it meant strong man and womanhood, and if it were done'they were bound to have a great race Dr.' Smith expressed his sincere thanks to the board for the album, which bo, and his child after him, would ijways treasure.. . -