HOSPITAL FACILITIES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 518, 16 November 1912, Page 5

HOSPITAL FACILITIES.

KING COUNTRY WANTS. REPORT OF COMMITTEE. For some time past the residents in various parts of the King Country have been seeking to obtain greater facilities in respect to hospital matters. The rapid growth of the district and the bad stats of the roads has led to the creation of a position which requires careful consideration with a view to improvement. The matter has been discussed at various times by the Waikato Hospital Board, and finally a committee was appointed to go through the district and furnish a report on the subject. The report of Messrs J. Boddie and G. Kaywas furnished at the meeting of the board on Thursday last as follows: —• "In accordance with resolution of the board we visited the southern portion of the hospital district, and had the opportunity of meeting a large number of setlters in Taumarunui and the districts adjoining that town. So far as Taumarunui is concerned we found that whilst some of the older residents expressed doubts about the wisdom o? separation of the district, the joint meeting of the borough council and chamber of commerce, which we attended by appointment, was unanimous in the desire to have a new district formed with a view to taking over and enlarging the present Taumarunui Hospital, and so long as no attempt is made to include with such new district those districts which can be better served by thj Waikato Hospital, we see no reason why this board should object. With regard to the application for a nurse by the Owhanga Settlers' Association, we consider that if a maternity nurse could be procured for appointment to that position it would be a very great service, as there appears to be a considerable population scattered over a fairly wide bush district, including a large number of women and children. We took the opportunity to visit and thoroughly inspect the Taumarunui Hospital, and wero pleased to find everything inside the building was very clean and in excellent order and condition. The inmates, of whom there were five on the date of our visit, were well pleased with their treatment. The staff consisted of a sister and a probationer, who seem to be carrying out their duties in a very satisfactory manner. We consider, however, that a cook should be provided as there had been frequent occasions when the nurses have been occupied fully with their duties to the entire neglect of the kitchen duties. All things considered we would strongly recommend the board to appoint a cook to look after the kitchen, so that both patients, and staff may be assured of regular meals properly prepared, which under present circumstances cannot be had. We also recommend that some attention should be given to the grounds, which are getting into disorder." Mr Boddie, in presenting his report, said that the residents of that district did not consider the removal of their patients to the Waikato Hospital as a satisfactory arrangement. They thought they would get a district, including Taumarunui, Ohura and Taupo East and West; but the Waitomo County Council would rather remain in the Waikato district as at present. The valuations of the contributing bodies had been increased in some cases 50 per cent., and they thought that by next year there would be a very substantial increase in the contributions. If the people interested could carry the necessary legislation he did not think the board should offer any objection as no other part of the district would be affected detrimentally. Dr Douglas said, with reference to the appointment of a cook, that this had always been a burning question. The average number of patients in the Taumarunui Hospital was about two. Sometimes there were none and the maximum was seven, so that they had two women, one a charge nurse and the other a probationer, and a porter to look after an average of two persons. In addition they got in a woman to do the washing and scrubbing. He thought Taumarunui offered an exceptional opportunity for practical training in cooking and general management, about a lack of which complaints were often heard regarding nurses who left hospitals and took up private nursing work. Dr Valintine took a similar view of the j matter. Of course he recognised that | when night nursing had to be done they had to work a little bit harder, but ordinarily thev had an easy, quiet time. Ho did not think the board should agree to the appointment without fully considering the matter. Mr Kay said the suggestion regarding the cook came from the chamber of commerce, and there had been no complaints on the part of the staff. After a short discussion the report was received and no cook will, therefore, be appointed at present. A vote of thanks was passed to Messrs Boddie and Kay for their report.