MUST BE RELIEVED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 940, 5 April 1930, Page 1

MUST BE RELIEVED

CONGESTION AT AUCKLAND HOSPITAL BOARD TO ACT THIS YEAR ‘ “Something must be done in the near future to relieve congestion at the Auckland hospital. “in ail probability a sum for this purpose will be placed on the estimates this year,” said Mr. William Wallace chairman of the hospital Board this morning. One of the present proposals for relieving congestion is the erection of a new three-story block at the Infirmary, Epsom. Long-standing cases could then be moved there and could be kept for half the cost of their present maintenance at the public hospital. If the board had a convalescent home, a number of patients could be sent there and thus more beds would be available at the hospital. At present the convalescents are required to stay in the institution until they are able to return to their homes. “If we had such an institution it would relieve the hospital of from 75 to 100 beds and would greatly relieve the average day-stay of patients in the institution,” said Mr. Wallace. The position at the Auckland Hospital at present is acute and there is a big waiting list for admission to the institution. Yesterday there were 685 patients in the hospital and a week ago 705 were” occupying beds. It is considered that 700 patients is the maximum which can be cared l’or efficiently at the hospital, but Dr. C. E. Macguire, medical superintendent, is of the opinion that the hospital would be crowded even if another 400 beds were available. He states that the question of accommodation is alwaj'S a serious one. At present the nursing and medical staff is caring for as many patients as can be handled efficiently. Working conditions were not acute although the hospital was full. Regularly longstanding' cases were sent to the infirmary but not a great number could be accommodated there at present.