GREATER SERVICE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12620, 3 December 1926, Page 4

GREATER SERVICE

A NEW HOSPITAL REGIME FOUNDATION-STONE LAID OF NEW BUILDINGS MINISTER FOR HEALTH’S INTERESTING ADDRESS The substantial additions to the Wellington Hospital, which have been iu the course of erection for some time, were placed one step nearer completion yesterday, when the Minister for Health (the Hon. Mr Young), in the presence of a large gathering of people, laid the foundation-stone. In the course of his speech the Minister paid tribute to the service to mankind which the hospital boards throughout the country were giving, and emphasised the necessity for extending medical facilities to those in rural districts. There were present at the function the Minister for Education (Hon. Mr Wright), members of the Hospital Board, and various officers of the Department of Health, as well as others associated with tho work of the institution. The chairman of the Wellington Hospital Board (Mr 0. M. Luke) introduced the Minister, and reviewed the history of the hospital in the city—a history in which that day’s function was destined to play a great part. The Minister for Health, Mr Luke said, was sympathetic with the operations of the board and with the requirements of the hospital, in that he had been a member and a chairman of the Waikato Hospital Board. The first hospital had been erected in 184 G, and reports of that time showed that Maoris who went into the hospital wearing Maori mats came out wearing European clothes, and fostered no desire to return to thqir native dress, fearing that they would have a recurrence of the ‘disease. The second hospital was erected at Pipitea, on the site now occupied by the Girls’ College, this -structure serving the requirements of the sick for over twenty years. Then, in 1878, a building was erected qn the present hospital site, and since that time the institution had grown rapidly. NOT BEHIND At this tiye Wellington was the only place possessing a school for probationary nurses, and in those days senior nurses were compelled to work from 6.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. with a brqak of one and a-half hours for meals. Wellington was tho first to introduce the new regime bringing in the eighthour day for the nurses. This hospital had from the old days had the reputation of being the best governed institution of its kind in the Dominion. . Mr !(iuke traced the progress in detail of the various hospitals here and the success which had attended each branch, and finally leading up to the erection of the present additions. While for a number df years Wellington lagged behind the three big hospitals in some respects, this place was never behind 'in tho efficiency of its staffing, nor of its equipment. On the contrary the facilities which had been afforded eeientifio operation and the best of treatment of patients had been second to none in the Dominion. The new radiuip plant had already justified its existence.’ The system of finance he considered to he the best south of the line, in spite of the fact that some claimed that it dried up the channels of charity.- Both systems had been tried, and it had been found that the old system was not so satisfactory, and the finance was likely to peter out. OF FIRST IMPORTANCE He considered that the health of the community was of first importance, and anything done in the interests of suffering humanity was in accordance with the highest ideals. He trusted that when the necessary finance was required to carry on these services thev would not he denied or curtailed. It had been declared that this structure, the foundation stone of which they were laying, would cost £350,000 or £400,000. but he thought that it would be - covered by from £200,000 to £250,000. Mr Luke quoted expressive figures showing how the revenue of the hoard had increased and the expenditure had been held to the economio line. The Minister for Health assured the gathering that he was interested in the work of the hospital not only as Minister for Health, but because of his long association with hospital matters. He was familiar and sympathetic with their problems. Wellington was to be congratulated upon the significance of that day’s function, for it marked progress of the community as well as of the work that was being accomplished by the board, which recognised that the present premises were not sufficient for the work which they were carrying out. Increase of population meant progress, and this meant increase in social needs; and this must be met by a board executing such functions as the Wellington Hospital Board. Anyone who was doubtful as to whether the expenditure were justified would be assured by a visit of 1 inspection of the hospital and its surroundings, for then a comprehensive idea of the.good service being accomplished could he gained. COMPLETE SYSTEM Mr Young reminded the gathering that a hospital did not comprise mere-, ly the building and equipment, hut embraced something infinitely more important—all the human factors which went to make up the general scheme of administration for the sick of tho communty, from those who gave their services on the boards to the gallant and painstaking nurses who were called upon at any hour of the -day or night to tend the requirements of their patients. So far as the Government was concerned, it stood by the system of free representative character of the present governing institutions which administered hospital affairs. All these people working together and cooperating with tho Government—for the Government provided some of the money—went to make up the great Institution erf hospital. The Wellington Board had co-operated with the department and had worked for efficiency, and . the Government, while working all tho time for efficiency, always had its eye upon the financial side of the scheme. Tho Government found half the money, and the balance was found by levies on local bodies and in other ways. Unless a wise policy of hospital expenditure were pursued there was a likelihood of the amount piling up to an exorbitant figure. HAPPY POSITION New Zealand was the most hospital -umtry in the world; by that he meant, not that the people were always, sick and required attention, hut that there were more beds per head of thu

people than in any other country in the woild. / Particularly was this apparent in respect to the treatment of T. 8., and the loss of people by the death rate of consumption was the lowest in the world. In this country, the districts were scattered, and it was necessary—in order to meet the needs of the people—that the hospital serv ices should be extended as far as possible into tile rural districts, and give the sick the attention that they liad the right to expect and receive. The principal items in the income of Hospital Boards (including receipts on account of capital) during the year ended March 31st, 1926, were (to the nearest £1000): — ‘ £ From Government 580,000 Levies on local authorities ... 526,000 Voluntary contributions 18,000 Fees actually received 324,000 Rents, etc. . 25,000 Total £1437,000 The principal items of expenditure Were: — £ Hospital maintenance ... 925,000 Charitable relief 371,000 Administration 49,000 Interest on loans 52,000 District nursing, etc. ... 18,000 Capital expenditure ... 578,000 Total £1,993,000 EXPENDITURE The capital expenditure, was represented l>y purchase of land £IO,OOO, erection of buildings £488,000, and equipment £BO,OOO. There was also the amount required annually towards the repayment of the loans which, in the case of extensive building operations, t was required to be spread over a period of years. The actual figures representing sinking fund repayments were not at the moment available. In addition to the Government contribution must be" added a further £107,000 expenditure on thirteen hospitals which it administered it6elf and towards which it received some £68,000 fees from patients. _ Tho Minister then laid the founda-tion-stone, and said that as the building was erected on a solid foundation he trusted that the work done by the* board, the department, and those citizens who were engaged in the social interest of humanity, would build up a sound and healthy race. Cheers were given for tho Minister. * TWOFOLD OBJECT Dr T. H. A. Valintine, DirectorGeneral of Health, said the Wellington Hospital Board had done noble work, and had taken its full share of relieving sickness throughout the Dominion. He, in his official position, had had to proceed with care in finance during the past few years, making always for efficiency as well as economy. He paid tribute to the services of Mr Luke as chairman of the board, who, he said, had stood by ljim when he had introduced hospital reform to a hostile audience in 1908. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr C. J. B. Norwood) congratulated the hospital authorities upon getting l one step nearer to the iijeal or being second to none in the Dominjton so far as hospital administration was concerned. The opening of this addition to the building would Bet at rest the minds of the people of Wellington, who would now know that whenever anyone was stricken with sickness there would be the greatest chance of recovery through the efficiency of the facilities afforded them at the institution. It was the opinion of the people here—and would be so—that these additions were essential, and that the best service must be given to the sick-ami afflicted. ■ Dr Marohant, a member of the honorary medical staff, said there was always a sense of gratification at being able to give honorary service to the sick of the community. They had been, brought up to this spirit, and he hoped that it would he adhered to. With the increased accommodation they would be looking to do just that little more for those "who might, require their services. \ Mr W. Appleton, chairman of the hospital committee of the board) proposed, and the Rev. Van Staveren seconded, a resolution of thanks to ,the Minister. The visitors were then entertained at afternoon tea. The Minister was presented with a gold trowel with a greenstone' handle, this being the gift of the contractors, the Fletcher Construction Company,