OTAKI HOSPITAL AND SANATORIUM.

Shannon News, 6 September 1927, Page 4

OTAKI HOSPITAL AND SANATORIUM.

DIRECTOR-GENERAL’S REPORT. (Dr. E. Irwin, Acting Medical Superintendent; Miss M. Pownall, ’Matron). The following is the Director-Gen-eral’s report on the Otaki Sanatorium for the year ended 31th March, 1927.: — It is to be regretted that Dr. Curtis had to temporarily relinquish duties in August; Dr. Atmore and Irwin subsequently carried on the work. At the beginning of" the year there were forty-eight patients in the institution, and during the year there were thirty-five admissions. Twenty-nine patients were discharged, of which ten had the disease arrested, twelve were relieved, and seven unrelieved. The programme of'building improvements inaugurated last year has been completed, thus providing,, accommodation for twenty All buildings have been rewired and brought under the Maugahao scheme, thus dispensing with the necessity for the engine-room. A 4in. water-main has been laid from the borough supply, and owing to the increased amount of water available a properly equipped fire-controlling apparatus has been installed.

Thanks to the bequest of the Brown McMillan fund, and very largely owing do the exertions of Mr. Morse, the local picture-theatre proprietor, patients are enabled to enjoy pictures weekly, while an occasional outing in the Matron’s car adds to their pleasure. The staff work amicably together, and the patients appear to be contented and happy. In regard to the hospital, at the beginning of the year there were four in; since then eighty-five have been admitted, and eighty-nine discharged, including twenty-six relieved, fifteen unrelieved, and nine died. An ambulance has been provided by the Palmerston North Hospital for the conveyance of patients who are considered unsuitable for treatment in the Otaki hospital. The trees which were planted in the swamp were destroyed by fire, and the area has been replanted and the pew trees well established. It is proposed to plant three acres on the other side of the road in the swamp with eucalytus trees; the gardens generally have been improved. The farm under the Agricultural Department has shown a very satisfactory return, the produce generally being of good quality. Otaki Hospital and Sanatorium: The addition of new shelters for the accommodation of twenty more patients has relieved the congestion at the sanatorium and it has been possible to admit patients who had been on the waiting list for some time. Miss Pownall lias managed so that without neglect of the patients no additional appointments to the trained staff have been necessary.