THE NEW HOSPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1916, Page 3

THE NEW HOSPITAL.

■NOW OCCUPIED BY PATIENTS. A SPLENDID INSTITUTION.

Tlie patients of the New Plymouth Hospital yesterday gave up their quarters in the old building for the splendid conveniences of the new institution. The new structure, which comprises a block of well constructed buildings, is the old hospital, and it represents the latest developments in the construction of hospitals. The building is constructed in concrete and brick, and is of one storey. There are four wards and a children's ward, while an operating theatre, an X-rays room, and quarters for the medical and nursing staff are also included. The Board lias no occasion to fear that the institution will not favorably compare with the best of the hospitals in New Zealand. The care of the sick and wounded is a matter which should appeal to everyone, but it remains a fact that in New Zealand the public hospitals are not always what they should be. The old hospital in New Plymouth, for instance, was originally built to accommodate some 28 patients, but without additions it has been pressed to take 70 patients. People from all parts of North Taranaki have been offered the facilities of the hospital, and the result has been that the accommodation has proved too small. Realising the necessities of the district tlie Hospital Board has erected an excellent block of buildings, which not only fully meet the requirements of the public to-day, but should he able to cope with the demands of the future. Those who are acquainted with modern hospitals in other parts of the world will sec in the new New Plymouth hospital splendid airy wards, excellent conveniences, and an attentive medical and nursing staff, which should make the institution quite one of the best in Taranaki. The furnishing of the new hospital has. entailed a great deal of labor, and much praise is due to Miss Brown, the matron, for the way she has attended to every detail. Miss Brown has been ably assisted by Mrs. Walker and Mrs. B. W. D. Robertson, while the nursing staff has also played its part thoroughly. Miss Campbell has been acting as matron at the old hospital, and she has been assisted by 32 nurses, comprising two sisters and three certificated nurses, the remainder being probationers, and they have had some 73 patients to deal with. The transference of the fittings from the old hospital to the new buildings was carried out yesterday morning by Drs. E. A. Walker and H. B. Leathani, assisted by Messrs F. W. Hall. R. W. D. Robertson, W. A. Ambury, and H. Fraser. In the afternoon the patients were transferred, and the nursing staff and the gentlemen mentioned were assisted by Messrs (i. Mcfialiey, A. Ambury, A. H. Ambury, H. WynneKirkby, A. B. McDonald,' C. H. Byron, and C*. W. Elliott.