PUKEURA SANATORIUM

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 41, 12 November 1919, Page 5

PUKEURA SANATORIUM

COMPLAINTS BY PATIENTS

INVESTIGATION BY R.S.A,

BUILDING OCCUPIED TOO SOON

Matters connected with the conduct of the Pjikeura Sanatorium, near Wnipukurau. were considered at last night's mactiiiL' of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association. As derided at the last mcetimi. delegates of the association visited the institution on October 29 to investigate complaints made by patients, ami their report was as follows:— 1. Food.—The food was stated to be unpalatable through bad cooking,, particularly the meat; potatoes tasteless and old: vegetables lacked variation; fruit did not constitute a regular issue; fish was supplieo.' too often, and the tripe and chicken appearing on-diet sheets not nt all: milk was oflen sour. 2. .Medical Attention—Not a single complaint was received with regard to this. • .1. Crockery.—Cups were cracked and without handle?. •(. Washing-up Dishes—Dishes were not sterilised, and there was an insufficiency of boiling water. .)., Cigarettes.—Gifts from organisations, or oiierwiso, were not allowed. fi. Postal.—Mail bags to and from the sanatorium were not locked. Delivery of tclcjrauis delayed- owing to lack of telephone at hospital. 7. Transit to and from Waipukurau.— -Patients experienced long delays in leaving the sanatorium on leave owing to lack ot transport. S. Recreation.—Requests were made for concert parties and motor rides. 9. Lighting.—liefectivt: and insufficient. 10. Specialists and Dentists.—Some patients requiring attention to eyes or teeth requested visits from specialists. 11. Clothing.—Uniforms stated to have been promised by the Minister have not been received. 12. llairilre-:ser.—Alteno'nnce asked for. 11). Shelters.—No communication with main building'at night and no latrines near them. It. Buiitling Defects.—Complaints about the position of the latrine. 15. General.—Great inconvenience hnd been caused by patients occupying the building before it had been completed. After a full discussion with the men we discussed the various matters with Captain Kmslio. We should to express our appreciation of the courtesy witli which ho received us and tho assistance he gave ns in seeing over the building and nieetingMlie patients. We arrived without any warning about 5.15 p.m.', and, at considerable inconvenience, Captain Einslie made arrangements to enable us to see the men and the building, obtaincd all necessary information, and went fully into tlio questions raised. Various questions so rafted were afterwards discussed with Mr. Knox, the chairman of tho Patients' Welfare Committee. As a result'of these discussions and our own observation we have to make the following report:— 1. Fond.—This complaint seems well founded, and, in our opinion, seems duo to improper cooking and not to lack of supplies, except in the case, of light diet patients, where some supplies, such as chickens and tripe are stated to be unprocurable. . . . Bed patients interviewed hnd no complaints on the score of food. We are satisfied that great difficulties exist in securing conks, and were assured that "every effort is being mu.de to ensure an irnnrovement. Only a high rate of pay will obtain efficient, cooks. Unless opposed on medical grounds, fresh fruit should be issued to patients three times weekly. They should not have to rely on gifts. ... 3. Cookery—lt was explained that the present condition of cookoTy was due to tho fact that the patients who reluctantly washed the dishes carelessly handled litem. We think that whatever the cause this state of affairs should bo remedied. i. Washing-up Dishes.—At the time of our visit tho dishes were being washed up in lukewarm water. Tho patients ask for sterilising apparatus, and in deference to their feelings, even though medical opinion does not demand the sterilising of eating utensils, we think it ought to be provided. ' S. Gifts of Cigarettes.—Wo think this policy should be referred to Medical .Headquarters, and a. definito ruling' given governing all sanatoria. fi. Postal.—Mail bags should be locked and this mutter is being taken up by Captain Emslie. A Public Works telephone with no proper telephone is relied on. This is unsatisfactory, and there should be no difficulty in the immedinto establishment of u telephone, Which would facilitate the transmission and receipt of telegrams and assist the staff. 7. Transit.—This complaint seems well founded. Tho addition of a. new ambulance would enable tho patients to get away without the delay that at present exists. 8. Kee.rcat.ion— Billiard tables have been ' provided and ''a gramophone and piano installed; a bowling green is being constructed, a kiuema established, and frequent concerts itrrnnged by the Y.M.C.A. ... 9. Lighting.—Owing to tho non-arrival of machinery, though the buildings are wired for electric light, the buddings are iit by oil'iamps. The best typo of incandescent lamp should be procured at once. Hurricane lumps should bo placed about the grounds to help patients reaching shelters after dark. This.is beiiiu arranged, ... ' , •10. Specialists.—Wo think that an eye specialist and dentist should visit the sanatorium as "early us possible,, it' oiu.y to satisfy patients asking for treatment. i 11. Clothing.—Good iittiug suits should I be provided at once. I 12. Hair Dressing.—Unsuccessful efforts have been made by tho authorities to get a resident barber, and we suggested in the local secretary of the U.S.A. that he might be able tu arrange a weekly ! visit by the local barber. 13. Shelters.—We think that 6omo method of communication with the main building should be arranged forthwith. A.lhough qnly, the healthiest patients are sent, to shelters, the, possibility of ttoublo requires to be provided against, It. Building Defects.—Tho latrines anil' officers' quarters are badly placed, but the completion of grounds will minimis* their obtrusiveness. To sum up: Wo are of opinion tlial great inconvenience and discomfort to patients were Mused by the occupation I of the build'ng' before it win completed. Complaint-' as lo lighting, recreation, dishI washing, telephone, and ianndry arc due j to this cause, although ».o'av- of Ihesi- nre | capable of amelioration under present ; conditions. C'-rtaiii cases earn...- from i: i Waikato lnsrilnt on. An explanation oi i the lia«te -rems to be called for frr-rn ! Mcdicj' .Hrndnnarlers. A sie-dy and de- ! cided'improvement in all matters preI viously complained of has t-iken place, i and t(ie iinproveme''! continue;. A refer- : once to Medical 11-.miHiuiter.- <-f some ' ill' I he above points would protiildy bail '■ lo further improvements. The. following ! might be undertaken lorthw fin—(l) 'The I insiellnliop. of a lobplvoe: (2) the provision of another car; (II) liie supply of suits; (4) -the provision of ineanileseent lamps. * We are of opinion that visits of iu-,pi'etio!i should hi 1 us, infrequent as and Hint they fl'-uld l'e un'Wl.i.kei! enlv en the invitation of tuv j Welfare Committee, founded on a ivritj ten statement of grievances mid accomi nanied by Hie assurance that tho-o hav:-. i been submitted lo the O,C. Complainii j received fvnm a loco', association should, I in our opinion, be lo lb" TVsj Hid Com'nill"". or to IV- Nntrnel llriul- ! .mivN's. Mnrc iielion be taken by such J ice"' nt'RO' :, >lion. I »«Ve Sv'-'T'tM'. !.»« nis»t« ,! n<>." | Mr. Jl. Badger, one of the visiting detcj gates, in speaking to the report, sunt I there hud boon a good deal to complain about. There had been nialadmiiiistia-

lion from the very first. He made "m> bones" about that. The men had been rushed into the institution too soon, the place was only half finished when Hitmen went in, and they were subjected to needless discomforts. Mr. Badger drew attention to thelnck o f proper washin,» faciiilies and good lighting arrangements. He contended that Hie men» ermplainU were absolutely well founded. There should be more sympathy and less discipline about the place. While on Ids visit to the institution the matron told him that good men were not offering their services 'as order! rs nowadays. The speaker replied that the rcjisoii was lhal as soon as <"' orderly showed initiative nurses and doctors he was immediately "squashl- - There had been too much delay and temporising in remedying the men s grievances. The U.S.A. officers, however, had not been guilty of delay in making invesligations into Hie matter. Mr. A. B. Sievwriuht moved, and Mr. A. ICvle seconded: "Thad this meetm? ot the W.Ii.S.A. regrets that f> military authorities placed patients in the I'ukeura Sanatorium before tb? building was completed, with the resultant discomfort to broken and suffering returned soldiers —a condition not vet righted—ami that the report of tlu delegates be apnrovcd and obey be thiniked for their visit. An amendment was proposed that tho military authorities be censured for their conduct of th* various sanatoria throughout. New Zealand. Mr. Sievwright opposed the amendment on the ground that it might be nossib.o for the association to blame the wron? officers. He considered i.hat it would lie. sufficient to pass the motion he had moved. , . Mr. ]). Smith thought that no sit'tctures should be passed upon anybody until bhe-case for the "other side had been presented. He moved a further amendment that tho delegates be thankru for their trouble in visiting the institution, and that the association indicate its intention hi pursue the questions raised in the report, but defer expressing a final opinion until the ease for the Government-had bicn heard. Mr. C. W. Batten pointed'out that the matter was receiving the attention of the executive committee of the X./i.h.S.A. Until the position had been investigated further it was not sensible to pass eil'/ier the motion or the first amendment. Both amendments were lost, and Mr. SicvwrighO's motion was carried.