Hospital Improvements.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 790, 5 April 1905, Page 2

Hospital Improvements.

A number of improvements in on'nection with the hospital are now n progress, and will add considerably to the efficiency of the institution and the comfort of the stall. The erection of two annexes for the treatment of consumptive patients is now in hand, and in this liiection the Hospital ltoarel are lo be commended, as, with the exception- of the structures at the Ctuntoivdge Sanatorium, -they are the first of the kind yet established in connection with -hospitals in *«he colony. I'p to the present any patlnts suffering from consumption have had to sleep out on the hospita.l verandah, in order to avoid contact w'ith the other patients, and also to obta'in the benefit of the jiinximum of fresh air. Happily there is at present no patient requiring attention for this droad malady. The new annexes will each contain

four bWs, one being set apart for mules and one for females. The dimensions of each will be 83ft'by 10 ft inside measurement, with lofty walls, while specially contrived means of ventilation will bo provided). EacK annexe will also have seven casement windows, the outlook being cheerful aud breezy, essential conditions for this eias*s of patient The quarters utilised up to the present time for the accommodation of the nursing stuff ure lo undergo considerable alterations in order to be transformed into a separate administrative block, for the exclusive use of this department of work. Rooms for tho nurses in charge of the consumptives' wards are set, apart, and the conveniences to bo provided includo a large dining-room 81ft by 12ft. Twi/ detached outbuildings . will contain bathrooms, lavatories, etc.; Tho annexes and administra-

tive block will be enclosed hy a high fonco -to ensure as strict seclusion as possible.

Tho new quarters for the hospital nursing staff are now almost out of the builders' bunds, nnd occupation iviJl be taken in about a fortnight's Lime. The structure contains ten ai)d has quite ur> imposing ippetti-anco. The building is well designed, and admirably adapted to wet all requirements. After their >lxl inadojjuate tjuarfcrg the start ™1 no douibt grpat|y appreciate J»eiF now t payment. The bulking is ircptprt on thp left hand skie of the lospital), with a frontage to the sea. A great improvement is the new norgue, which is most modern in ianstructioh and in every particular. The building is of brick, with cement floor, and is divided into two compartments. The outer one, known us tho morgue, Is fitted with three marble slabs. A door oads into the post-mortem chamber which is furnished on the latest .•ines, and every convenience provided lor tho medical fraternity to con'l"?t work w'itb, expedition and lea jiK'.Gs, 1l ll) solid martjle slab oil which post mortem operations will be made has a water supplv conveniently anunged, anil scientific drainage. Marble shelves, handily •situated, are placed on which the surgical instruments can be out, IU MJ a special heatjng cqntiiviiflce by which thp water passing through it direct I'coii, fchp tup emerges heatul 10 'WIMWf Point, is set up in the corner of the chimney. A wash'basin for tho use of the operators is also furnished. The whole building Is ;tu l"l by 27l't in dimension, is excellently ventilated and lighted with ■ Skjliglus und prol&cietl wjnilowa, and Is rooi'ed wjH) Uai-gaUle* tiles. ! Messrs ltiisscll awl Ron, (ho coiuracj*oi\s, ii-avi) enri'iod' out their -work With tl il'tgree of 'satisfaction to the Board, and as the morgue is not re»lrieteti to hospital „se, the liorough Council are paying ha'Vf ihe cost oi cunstrucMo,,, tj lu coiit.Aci < PCKa Iwjlng £231),' Ari elaborate and efficient scheme ; to drain the wlio'ie of the hospital jmildwgs anil Ute Old People's Homo on sanitary lines i s now In nj-Mgress. The ol<| ait, being taken up, and am entirely S ;1 C '' V ' VU b<? ! ,lfer connect) Ruiloll 'Tu'" goc " "'be-stroet. Hussell and Son ar e the contractors. the price being £;;ir, Th ' includes the erection of „ ow b^ ( rooms and lavatories, plu.^J The architect for the various im mTVTbS «ng £\><S9j and Messrs Wallath Bros have erected the nurses' quarters at » contract prlvo of £OIQ,