OPHTHALMIC WARD

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2728, 24 March 1916, Page 3

OPHTHALMIC WARD

FOR WELLINGTON HOSPITAL PORTION OF CHILDREN'S QUARTERS TO' BE UTILISED. _ I " -"■''' At yesterday's, meeting of the Wellington Hospital and Oharitablo Aid Board, Dr. Elizabeth Platts-Mills moved: "That the board reconsider its decision' with regard to utilising the upper story—at presont unused—of 'the Children's Hospital, and that they be immediately fitted up as temporary ophthalmic wards." In speaking to the motion, Dr. Platts-Mills referred to the fact that two local specialists (Dr. Garcia Webster- and Dr. Harty) both recoinmendcd special accommodation for eyo patients. In othor importantcentres there were separate ophthalmic wards, and some suitable accopimodation was an absolute.necessity m Wellington. •Mr. F. Castle seconded the motion. Mrs. Wilford strongly opposed the motion and contended that it would he a - breach of trust to hand over any portion of the Children's Hospital to anyone other: than the . children. Although it was only tomporary use that had been mentioned, it was certain .that, if the place was once fitted up for ophthalmic wards,, the _ eye . patients would probably he definitely installed there. Moreover the space was at the present time badly wanted for the children themselves. >. .. A lengthy discussion followed, ana the Aoting-Medical Superintendent <Dr. C; Morice), ■ oil beinc: .appealed to, .expressed himself as> being in favour of a separate ophthalmic ward. In the Interests of the greater number of patients, ho considered that the upner storv of the Children's Hospital should hfi fitted up as an. ophthalmic ward. "Hie eyo specialists were husy men, having to see something like 100 out patients every week, and they fdund it difficult to operate under the nveßent conditions. A separate ophthalmic ward would enable the specialists to perform operations whenever thev found the time- suitaMe. He (Dr. Morice) would see that the children did not suffer V the change, and, he felt sure that Dr. Barclay, on his return, would nlsn' look after tho interests of the children.

The'-majority of members expressed themselves as satisfied with the posi-

tion as explained by Dr.. Morice, and on the motion being put to the vote, it was parried by nine votes to' eiVht.; The division list was. #8 follows:— Ayes: Messrs. J. Smith, F. Castle. IV. J Thompson, H. Freeman, G. A. Monk, F. T. Moore, C. M: Luke, the chairman /Mr. H. Baldwin), and Dr. Elizabeth Platts-Mills. Noes: Mrs. Wilford. Mrs. M'Lnren, .Messrs. G. J. Petherick, .T. W. M'Ewan, W. Galloway, G. Nash, TV Campbell, and the Rev. H. Van

Stsveren. 1 , The Rev. H. Van Staveren said that as the voting was so close and as some members were absent, he would save notice of motion to rescind the resolu-

tion iust carried. If the resolution were put into effect, he feared it would drv lip the well-springs of charity in Wellington.

Mr. M'Ewan asked if the difficulty eould not be overcome by referring the question o,f accommodation for ophthalmic patients to the Hospital.Committee. The chairman replied that this would ha impracticable. An interesting phase of the voting was that several members of the hoard reversed their previously expressed opinions.