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THE EPIDEMIC AND HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION.

DISCUSSED BY THE BOARD. When the medical superintendent’s (Dr. Forrest.) report, was read at the meeting of the Palmerston N, Hospital Board on Thursday there was a general discussion as to the ways and means of combating the infantile paralysis epidemic.. The report, stated since January 10 thirty-four eases had been admit,led and that three had died. Twelve of the patients were from Levin and seven from Palmerston N. The diphtheria and scarlet fever wards were being utilised for the sufferers and there were only nine beds left. Fight eases had been admitted on ’Tuesday and the accommodation was practically exhausted. Fortunately, a large number of the patients now being admitted were mild eases in which no paralysis had occurred. In previous epidemics this type of case had been kept at home but if they are to be sent to the hospital then the Health authorities would have to shorten the period of isolation, or else, a convalescent, ward would have to be established in the- various centres and only the serious eases admitted to the hospital. This question was urgent as there was no available accommodation for scarlet fever or diphtheria patients. With the approval of the charman (Sr James Wilson) another house surgeon had been engaged for the duration of the epidemic and a part time dispenser should also be appointed as the hospital was the only one of its size in New Zealand without a dispenser. The chairman pointed out that eight or ten V.A.D. nurses had been secured to assist the nursing staff though not for the isolation ward. Tin- question of accommodation was very acute.

Mr J. K. Hornlilow pointed out that the Board would have to consider t he question of providing fur-lli(.-r accommodation for future epidemics. He -suggested that permanent cubicles be erected. He congratulated the medical staff and officers throughout the district, upon the manner in which the epidemic was being coped with. There had been hi; a!;u'inist(_stalenient circulated about the artillery camp at the FoxInn racecourse hut. th-c utmost care was being taken to guard against tlie disease. “The camp and Foxton, with the exception of one case from the M’aawntu Heads, was quite free of the epidemic,” lie stated. In respect to Levin lie said that the drill luill there could be used for local observation cases.

Dr Forrest pointed out that the Health Department’s instructions that there must be a period of six weeks for convalescence was the cause of the restricted accommodation. “Some of the patients could be discharged now if it were not for ihe regulations,” he stated. Mrs L. A. Abraham asked wheIher another building could not be put up .-it. the hospital temporarily. The secretary suggested that si,me accommodation might be seemed at Levin where there were three doctors and from which township so many of the patients had come. On the motion of Mr Bramwell, the dmirtnan and Dr. Forrest were authorised lo take whatever steps t Li-.v cuiisidered accessary.

It was also decided that a part time dispenser be appointed.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19250214.2.17

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2846, 14 February 1925, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
512

THE EPIDEMIC AND HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION. Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2846, 14 February 1925, Page 3

THE EPIDEMIC AND HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION. Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2846, 14 February 1925, Page 3

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