THE TIMARU HOSPITAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2425, 24 December 1880, Page 4

THE TIMARU HOSPITAL.

Some little while ago tiie Timarn Hospital Commissioners, finding that the accommodation for fever patients was very limited, instructed Mr Roberts, architect, to prepare plans and specifications for the erection of a new ward and the enlargement of another one, to he used entirely for fever patients. Tenders were afterwards called for, and that of Mr McGill was accepted. The new ward for receiving female patients is situate to the right of the old building, in a line with the surgical ward, the patients previously occupying that part of the building having been removed to the Belliold Ward, at the opposite end. This and the ward lor males have been named the he Cron and Hall Wards respectively. The former is so constructed that it can accommodate ten patients, with a bye-ward, capable of accommodating two, where it would be necessary to isolate them. It is entered at the side, a covered passage leading thereto. On the right band side of the vestiblue there is a doorway leading to the kitchen and also a warder’s suite of rooms. A door at the further end leads to the bathroom, lavatory, and closets, which have been tilted up with the latest appliances for the convenience and comfort of the patients. Due regard has also been made in regard to the ventilation and proper healing of the ward, a ventilating shaft running under the flooring from the outside to the fireplace in the middle of the ward, so that heated air can he distributed when required, and there arc four syphons, two on each side of the building for the foul air to escape. The chimney stack is most ingeniously contrived, the sunken shafts of the two fireplaces in the stack being so constructed that a person sweeping them can do so without the soot falling into the fireplaces themselves by means of a small cupboard in the centre of the stack, which leads to the flues behind each fireplace, and the sweeper is thus enabled by lifting two small iron trap doors to sweep the chimnies with the greatest ease. T 1 10 Hall ward is entered also at tho hack of the building by means of a covered corridor, at the side of which arc the warder's rooms, a storeroom, and an isolated ward for holding two beds. The ward is lilted up with twelve hods, six being ranged on either

side of the building. The patients are supplied with a small cabinet, placed close to their beds for the purpose of putting hooks, &e., in. The ventilation, heating apparatus, <tc., are similar to that supplied to the female ward. At the northern end at one side of the building, there is a bath room, and at the opposite corner the water closet. By an ingenious contrivance, each time the door is opened water is pumped up, whereby the whole arrangement is kept clean and free from smells. The ex* trcmc northern end of the ward is partitioned oil: by a glass screen and door, which is used by the patients as a revding room. A very pleasant view is here obtained over tho town and harbor.

The dispensary has been moved recently, so as not to interfere with the resident surgeon’s apartments, and out door patients can obtain their medicines in a conveniently arranged room at the side of the Hall ward. We understand that the Bel field ward can accommodate twenty-four, the Hall ward fourteen, the LeCren ward twelve, and the Lnxmoore ward sixteen patients, or in all a total of seventy-two, there being that number of hods fitted up and constantly ready for use. We limy hero state that the whole of the additions have been erected in brick and concrete.

We understand that a very great want is felt in there being no night nurse kept in the institution. Were the Commissioners to obtain the services of one, there is not the slightest doubt hut that the house steward and the nurses would be considerably assisted in a very important part of their duties. We should also like to see clocks placed in each of the wards, as patients like to know and see for themselves as to how the time of day is passing. It is to ho hoped that the Commissioners or those benevolently disposed will rectify this great omission as soon as possible. Gas has lately been laid on throughout the building, and has been found u von - great convenience instead of the old custom of using candles when required during the night. There are at the present time four wards in all, ns previously named. It is the intention in future, when circumstances require it and funds will allow to add another ward, which will he named the Archer ward.

The grounds of the institution are tastefully laid out. The Rower garden is in front of the building and the kitchen garden at the back. At the present time hods on either side of the walks from the entrance gates to the building are gay with blossoming shrubs and flowers, having a very pleasing effect.