“SIMPLY AMAZING”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 849, 18 December 1929, Page 20

“SIMPLY AMAZING”

LACK OF CO-ORDINATION AT HOSPITAL TRENCHANT CRITICISM The lack of departmental coordination at the Auckland Hospital was strongly criticised by members of the board at yesterday’s meeting. Satisfaction at the decrease in unemployment, but regret at the prevalence of sickness was expressed by Mr. W. K. Howitt, chairman of the board’s relief committee. He deeply deplored the apparent friction between departments in regard to meeting patients’ requirements, particularly T.B. sufferers, whom, he said, were put to a lot of inconvenience to get prescriptions from the dispensary. The sooner that facilities were provided at or near the hospital for examinations and treatment of outpatients the better, said Mr. Howitt. He also considered that a T.B. dispensary should be situated near the main institution. The committee was continually meeting with cases where patients had been put to much hardship to get their requirements. He complained strongly of the lack of information given the committee concerning patients to be transferred to the infirmary. Dr. E. B. Gunson declared that better facilities for treatment of outpatients was imperative. Strong criticism of the lack of coordination was voiced by the Rev. Mr. Wood, who urged the board early in the new year to study the relationship with another. “It is very humiliating to have stories told you by patients that reflect on the organisation of the hospital or the lack of it.’’ The hospital, he said, consisted of a series of isolated departments, and the lack of co-operation was weakening the hospital's organisation and inflicting hardships on the patients. “It is simply amazing today to find we are fixing up a tiddlywinking thing in a hospital of this size,” he asserted. “I am deeply disappointed at the slipshod manner in which some of the work is being done.” He considered the board should endeavour to dispense with departmental friction and unsatisfactory methods. The chairman, Mr. W. Wallace, assured the board that the question would be gone into early in the new year.