DISCHARGES AT COOK HOSPITAL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 228, 1 September 1939, Page 2

DISCHARGES AT COOK HOSPITAL

REMOVAL OF PATIENTS DILATORY RELATIVES PARENTS TAKE HOLIDAY “There are cases in which relatives of patients show extreme selfishness. They simply wish to put the obligation for looking after , their, own .responsibilities on the board.’’ said the medical superintendent of the Cook Hospital. Dr. R. J. B. Hall, reporting to the boai cl recently on the congestion in the wards. The supennendent had referred to the shortage of accommodation in the wards, and the necessity for hastening as much as possible the provision of additional beds for chronic- patients. He added, however, that there was one advantage in having the wards full and patients waiting, in that it gave the medical staff the best- possible argument for sending home people whose relatives wore- reluctant to assume their responsibilities. Pressure on. Facilities With people waiting to come into hospital, lie pointed) out, there could be no excuse for people leaving •convalescent relatives in the wards, which many were inclined to do. “We have had cases in which the patients wore well enough to'be Taken under the care of their own people. Imt the latter wished them to remain on in hospital, rather than take them home.” Dr. Hall saith “in one case, a child was ready for discharge, and it- was found that the parents had gone off on a holiday.” Members of the board considered that relatives .should) be forced to accept- their obligation,s. and especially at a time when the . pressure on the hospital facilities was as acute as at present. The medical superintendent was authorised to take the' necessary steps to deal with convalescent, patients whose relatives were reluctant to take them hewne. . ■ ,

“'rife-only way to deal with some cases is to tell the relatives .that unless they arei prepared to do their part, the patients will lie put in the ambulance and deposited, on their doorsteps.” Dr. Hall commented.