SANATORIUM CONDITIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 31, 31 October 1918, Page 4

SANATORIUM CONDITIONS

INCREASED ACCOMMODATION REQUIRED. By Telegraph—Press Aeeociation. AucMand, October 30. A delegation from the Auckland Patriotic Association and tho lied Cross .Society that recently visited ltotornu and Tβ Waikuto Sanatoria presented a. report as regards the conditions at ieWaikato Sanatorium. It is stated that the demand is so.great that discharges have to take place at the end of three mouths, cured or uot cured. The tendency was for a patient to hido his complaint, and consequently intermingling with others caused infection. It was idle to discharge men at the end of three months, telling them they had 'been taught to take care of themselves. . There was really no practical way in which 90 per cent, of infected men could continue treatment outside of ihe recognised institution. "Wo are informed," the report proceeds, "that 700 or 800 returned men hero suffered from tuberculosis, and the majority should bo under treatment, or at least observation for, say. two years. Only 81 of them are at Waikivlo.' Ihe erection of a new sanatorium lit Wα)pukurau is not yet commenced, but it is stated' that the patients from Waikato are to bo removed there. Tho plans provide for only 18 single-bpd (Oiellers, 29 two-bed shelters, and wards for H beds, p. total of 00, so that from the moment of opening, say nine or ten months hence, there will be the same congestion as exists now, with presumably the same reckless discharge of nncured patients. Even if Waikato is continued the joint accommodation will fee too small." .