DUNEDIN HOSPITAL PRAISED

Evening Star, Issue 20059, 27 December 1928, Page 9

DUNEDIN HOSPITAL PRAISED

A PATIENT'S VIEWS to SUGGESTION FOR ENTERTAINMENT Although the Dunedin Hospital, in common with most public hospitals, has been the target at times, at which hostile shots have been fired, it is in the opinion of a citizen of this city, along with hundreds of- others, a building more than worthy of the name of hospital. In chatting with a ‘Star’ reporter on the subject of the hospital recently the Dunedin man mentioned that some time ago he had occasion to go into the hospital as a patient, and during most of the time ho was there he kept his eyes and ears on tiie alert, with the result that ho praises the place on every possible occasion. “ Before I went to the hospital,” said the local citizen, “I had been given to understand in some quarters that it was a place in which most people would not put a dog, but since my experiences there I have completely changed my opinion. There is nothing there that the most austere critic could possibly take exception to. Patients are attended to by a squadron of capable nurses, who are at all times willing to do their utmost for the benefit of the sick. “The dozens of doctors who treat the patients are most able men at their work, while a lot of the other employees give all the assistance they can to those in need.” Despite the fact that the speaker held a very high opinion of the hospital lie said there was one drawback to the institution, and that was the lack of entertainment. He knew perfectly well that that was not the fault of the authorities, as it would take a vast, amount of money to provide such entertainment. A suggestion put forward by the Dunedin man, who, by the way, is not a listener himself, was for the various wards to be equipped with a wireless installation. In reading papers from other cities he had often noticed that other hospitals were being equipped with radio, and there was no doubt that broadcast listening by patients worked wonders in hastening recovery. The monotony of lying sick in bed was relieved by listening-in, which is now recognised as a singularly curative agent. “Seeing that other hospitals have been fitted with wireleSs,” he -said, “there seems no reason why the Dunedin Hospital should not follow their Example. The necessary money could be raised ih various ways as is done elsewhere. As a final function in aid of funds a dance was held recently in Lithgow Town Hall, New South Wales, and proved a success far beyond ex-, neetations. The same could be done liere. The result of that dance is that a radio installation < ip the Lithgow Hospital is now in sight.” Speaking further on the subject of wireless in they hospital he said he understood there would be at least one patient in each ward who would not be in a fit state to listen, but he w-oiild not be forced to do so if a separate pair of headphones was placed Reside each bed. In that' case a sick person would be In a position to listen-in just whenever he felt inclined, while the various headphones', could not make enough noise to disturb those who were not listening. Of course, the argument could always bo advanced that everyone is not interested in music, but then a wireless supplies more than music only. There are always news and reports, humorous talks, short lectures on various subjects, etc,, and

everybody should therefore bo catered for. In conclusion; he 'stressed the point that ho was of the belief that a person could hud no more satisfactory temporary homo than the Dunedin Public Hospital.