WELLINGTON HOSPITAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 125, 28 May 1937, Page 16

WELLINGTON HOSPITAL

Replying to criticism of the -Wellington Hospital Board made at a recent meeting of the Eastbourne Borough Council, John L. Mac Donald states his own experience when a month ago, for the first time in 67 years, he was admitted to the hospital for a major surgical operation. He praises highly the work of the surgeons and the ward staff. "Neither sister nor nurses could do too much for me. I received every attention possible, such attention as I would never dream could be had outside one's own family circle. Everything in the ward went like clockwork. ... I do not know whether the charge of lavishness made by an Eastbourne councillor referred to the meals supplied in hospital or not. If it did, I utterly failed to notice any. My experience was that the meals were of plain food, excellently well cooked, sufficient in quantity, and served at regular hours." Referring to other criticism that "patients were in hospital 17 months who should be there only four," the correspondent writes: "I take it if a man is in hospital for 17 months it is because the medical staff are agreed that he should be. ... The councillor showing the most gumption at the meeting in question was Councillor S. Shearer, who said, 'The aspect of a central unit with the latest equipment was a factor to be considered.' Exactly, that hit the nail on the head. The.central unit with the latest equipment is just what the Wellington Public Hospital stands for. Along with many other ratepayers, I believe hospitals should be a national charge, and I have no doubt this will come about in time. Meanwhile we have to conform to regulations as they are. Personally, I am of opinion that any ratepayer coming out of hospital after receiving such treatment as I have outlined will for ever after pay his hospital rate with • minimum of grumbling^' ' _ . -,