KUMAR A HOSPITAL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2801, 12 September 1885, Page 2

KUMAR A HOSPITAL.

la liis “Special Report on Hospitals in New Zealand” 1 >y the Inspector of Hospitals, laid on the table of the Mouse of Representatives, and a copy of which we received last evening, we extract (lie following report on the Kumara institution : I inspected this hospital on Sunday, December 21st, and found the Medical Officer and two members of the Committee engaged in visiting the patients. Of these, there were nine males and one female. With one exception, all suffering from acute illness or : severe accident. The accommodation i afforded hy the hospital has been at times severely taxed, and in the winter I

a number of old or infirm persons look to it for a home, there being i o “ refuge ” in the province. As matters now stand, it will shortly become* necessary to provide more beds, which would be best accomplished by throwing the Warder’s room and store into the adjoining ward, and building a new Warden’s room and a small room for female patients. I notice that three new mechanical bedsteads have been purchased since my last visit, and that hot water has been laid on to the bathroom. The wash-house has also been enclosed with a front, and fitted with bins for soiled lined. ]>, was formerly merely hi: open shed, and this work has been done by one of the patients. The patients I found very well satisfied. The bedding was throughout beautifully clean, and, though some little untidiness was noticeable here and there, it was excusable on account of the severity of the cases under treatment, which must occupy much of the Warden’s time. It should also be remarked that the flower-garden and kitchen garden are cultivated by his labour, and that all vegetables used in the hospital are grown bore, with the exception of potatoes. Dr. Monckton is now Medical Officer. December, 22nd, 1884,