HOSPITALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 219, 21 October 1909, Page 4

HOSPITALS.

INSPECTOR-GENERAL'S REPORT. UNIFORM DIETARY SCALE. EMPLOYMENT OF DISTRICT NURSES. Economy and reform in administration are the guiding principles contained in the annual report of the InspectorGeneral of Hospitals submitted to Parliament a few days ago. He suggests that hospital authorities might do moie than they do at present m collecting fees from patients who are in a position to pay. is to the capital expenditure, which last year amounted to £5.">,837, he remarks that for the most part the Dominion got fair value for the money, but in some instances the workmanship was very poor. Chiefly was this to be noted in tne new hospitals at Westpurt and Greyniouth and in the renovated wards at Christchurch.

Speaking generally, he states hospital authorities buy their foodstuffs at reisonablc rates; but it is interesting to note the varying prices paid. The 41b loaf at Tauinarunui costs B'/ 2 d, at Oamaru 4%d, whilst at Waimate," whicn is only thirty-three miles therefrom, and in the centre of the wheat-growing district, the cost is 7d. Milk varies from Is lid per gallon at Tauinarunui to 71 per gallon at Christchurch. The prices paid for meat also vary considerably. But economy iu purchase is of little use if not hacked up by economy in use. It is .surprising to find the number of hospitals in which it has not been considered necessary to weigh the stores on delivery. In one hospital he found the meat many pounds short of the delivery note, and similar discoveries were made with regard to the shortage in the milk and bread supplies. In one hospital the ■lib loaf was from 2oz to Boz under weight. Iu another hospital, irrcspealive of the fact whether there were forty or sixty patients, exactly the some amounts of meat, milk, butter, etc., were being ordered weekly. A uniform dietary scale, he urges, is needed for the hospitals of the Dominion, and he adds: "\iy all means let us feed our patients well, but let us see that they get what we pay for, and that there is no waste."

Economy is required in the purchase of drugs and dressings, which last year cost £.15,973. In this connection' the Inspector-tJencrul remarks: "It is also rumored that some local chemists have put. it abroad that they will not deal with those wholesale houses which compete for the hospital tender. I do not know if such be the case, but it would be a great pity if it were necessary to recommend that a central bureau be established for the importations of drugs, dressings, instruments, and other medical and surgical necessities." Dealing with another phase of the subject, Dr. Valintinc remarks that the average days' stay of the patients mig-it be further reduced, and this could be brought about if hospital authorities ceased to use their institutions as con-valescent-or chronic homes.

Speaking generally, he adds, the professional work in our hospitals is of a high order, and the medical and nursing stall have thoroughly at heart the general interest of their institutions.

Dr. Valintinc also urges at considerable length the employment of district nurses under the control of the hospital boards in districts far removed from medical assistance.