THAMES HOSPITAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5039, 13 October 1926, Page 2

THAMES HOSPITAL.

IMPROVEMENT IN FACILITIES.

SUPERINTENDENT’S SUGGESTIONS

At the Thames Hospital Board meeting on Monday Dr W. Sowerby, the newly appointed resident surgeon, reported on several of the hospital departments and offered suggestions whereby treatment of patients would be facilitated. BLOOD TRANSFUSION. “Occasionally it happens that it is necessary to bipod transfuse a patient. Once this operation is recided upon it is essential that a donor of blood be obtained as quickly as possible. 1 would suggest tha,t the board get a few men—say, four —any one of whom would be willing to act as a donor provided his blood will not agglutinate that of the recipient and is pure in every respect. This being so, it' is essential that all donors, should submit themselves to l the Vaskermann reaction. The fee usually given to a donor varies from one to two guineas, according to the amount of blood drawn off.” The chairman (Mr W. E. Hale) said that he believed the move was a- wise one, and probably no difficulty would be found in obtaining suitable volunteers. It was resolved that applications be called for donors of blood, and that the Nurses’ Committee co-operate with the medical superintendent in obtaining suitable donors of blood. MASSAGE DEPARTMENT. "Since taking over the appointment of medical superintendent at this, hospital I have been struck by the large number of cases, where recovery would be hastened by massage treatment. Particularly is, this -soi in those conditions, arising from accidents. I would ask the board to consider the advisability of obtaining the services of a masseuse—part time only— and commencing a massage department in connection with the hospital.” Mr J. Rowe said that when engaging new sisters it would be advisable to endeavour to get one who held the qualifications of a masseuse. Mr E. L. Walton said that it was not desirable to pass the matter over if there was need for the services of a masseuse.

The chairman said that at times there would be plenty of work -foil- one, but that particular work came in rushes.

Mr A. R. Robinson suggested that if a masseuse was stationed at the institution it might tend to induce more patients to go to the hospital for treatment and save them going to Rotorua and els.ewhere. After a brjef discussion the matter was referred to the matron, medical superintendent, and chairman. MATERNITY ANNEXE. Prefixing his report with a statement to the effect that the annexe was not 'a:s well patronised as it should be, Dr. Sowerby said he had gathered that outside practitioners were disinclined to recommend patients to enter the annexe when their -services would no longer be required, owing Coi the fact that free treatment would be given by the hospital superintendent. As outside practitioners were allowed to charge for attendance, he suggested that the hospital medical Superintendent should be placed on the same fodting -aind allowed to charge accordingly, free treatment to be given to those absolutely unable to pay. He felt sure that this would result in outside practitioners making fuller use of tire annexe, the revenue from which would be considerably increased. A Vdice : The outside doctors, want to keep their patiente as long as, they can.

The chairman said that the matter previously been before the board, and a conference with the local doctors had been held. He thought that the resident medical superintendent could hardly expect to receive fees for annexe work. The appointment provided that the annexe should be included in the superintendent’s work. Mr Walton said that if it was. necessary to pay the superintendent additional fees for annexe work it would increase tire burden on ’ratepayers. He moved that the board adhere to its present policy. Seconded by the chairman and carried.