HOSPITAL MATTERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5239, 15 February 1928, Page 3

HOSPITAL MATTERS.

PROGRESS DURING JANUARY. HOUSE' SURGEON NEEDED. At Monday’s meeting of the Thames Hospital Board the resideitt burgeon (Dr. W. Sowerby) reported that 40 male and 39 female patients had been during January. There were male and 27 female patients, discharged, and 36 male and 34 female patients were, remaining at date. In all, 58 operations were performed. In the outpatients’ department seven par tients, involving 46 attendances, received treatment. There were three /deaths. It was recommended that the isolation block should be equipped as soon 1 as possible, in readiness for any epidemic that might arise. The superintendent pointed out that since Dr. Moir had resigned 'at the end of December he had been carrying on with the aid of Dr. Gray to give the anaesthetics. Naturally, having no house surgeon had thrown extra work upon him, and he felt that he was unable to do all the work as it should be done. The wlork of the institution was increasing, as was, evidenced by the fact that during 1926 the cases treated at.the annexe num-, bered 56, while in 1927 there were 90. He recommended' that an attempt be

made to, get a house surgeon with some previous experience either in Lhhe Dominion or from Australia at a. 7 salary of from £250 to £3OO a year. ISOLATION BLOCK. The chairman (Mr. W. E. Halle) said that the requirements of the isolation ward involved a lengthy list and heavy expenditure. A report was beinlg prepared, but the equipment .necessary • was not yet finalised. He thought that mattresseft should be procured at once, but lie did not consider it necessary to equip the whole block at present. In thie event of an epidemic the equipment could be obtained at short notice, but it appeared hardly necessary' to do the’’job thoroughly at present. Tt waft pointed out by Mr J. W. Danby that the medical superintendent no daunt had some reason! for asking that the isolation block should be fully .equipped. He thought the board should not ignore the recommendation of the superintendent, and considered that the block should be equipped .with the minimum of necessities. Mr C. W. Kennedy considered that a sub-committee; should be .set up to go into the matter. The block was there, and it Should be in readinfess for any emergency. The present hot weather was conducive to typhoid fever, and the board should take heed of the'warning. This view was also shared by Messrs Danby and Hall. The chairman said that it would , cost several, hundred pounds- to equip the block. . - R On the motion of Mr P. E. Brenan it was resolved that the matter .of equipping the isolation b'lpfek with the .minimum of equipment' be left in the hands of the chairman, with power to act. ; HOUSE SURGEON. With reference to the procuring of a house surgeon, the chairman said he did. not think there, was a great hurry at the present time. He did not like the ide,a of bringing a, man from Australia. At the same time there wa'S a serious shortage of competent house surgeons in New Zealand, and other hospitalft were experiencing a difficulty. An effort Would vAe made to fill the position. In the there was no. immediate hurry, ;as Dr. Gray had agreed to stay on until June. Mr Danby Said that larger hospitals could offer greater experience and bigger salaries. The way to get &■ suitable house surgeon would be by private treaty through the medical superintendent rather than by public advertising.. Mr C. W; S. Flett said he could not see why the position should not be advertised in Australia, and he moved to that effect. There were only four months to June, he said, and the board did not want to be caught napping.

Mr A. R. Robinson thought that the matter should be referred to the medical superintendent. Finally it was resolved that the ’/question of the appointment of a house surgeon as from June onwards be referred to and medical superintendent, and if found necessary, be invited from Australia.