THE NAPIER HOSPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 22, 19 February 1909, Page 3

THE NAPIER HOSPITAL.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. X'apier. Last Night. A meeting of the Napier Hospital Triwees was hold to-day to meet Dr. Valiutine, Inspector-General of Hospitals, and confer with him on matters connected with the hospital. Dr. Valiutine saiil he had been living at the I hospital for the last week, and found that (lie buildings were insanitary and ill disrepair. The interior did not'show that scrupulous cleanliness which should prevail, and the wards were not clean. The place was overcrowded, and the grounds untidy and insanitary. He found' a lack of harmony between the administrative officers, due to outside interference, and a. want of defmiteness in regard to duties. Notwithstanding all the drawbacks the patients had been well eared for. but 07 were too much for one man. The economic side of the hospital had been neglected, and mismanagement was rife. Out of 11) nurses only two were trained nurses, but there was not that absolute disloyalty to the matron some people endeavoured to make out. This was .shown bv the fact that, four senior nurses had oll'ered to stay on if required after they had passed their examinations. The hospital books did not contain enough information, but this was due to the. secretary heing overiworked, and he recommended the Appointment of an extra medical officer at £2OO per annum and additional help for the secretary. The, matron (Miss Florence Edwards) forwarded her resignation. Mr. W. Shriinpton gave £IOOO towards the erection of a, new children's ward in memory of his son.