WELLINGTON HOSPITAL SCANDAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1918, Page 7

WELLINGTON HOSPITAL SCANDAL.

EFFICIENT GATE CONTROL NEEDED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, April 20. A rather unpleasant condition of affairs was revealed at a meeting of the Hospital Board yesterday, when in his medical report, tlio superintendent stated that it was time the fence around the hospital grounds was made efficient and a porter placed at the main entrance gate l<> control the entrance and exit of visitors and patients. At present there is no control of either. Last week from one ward two patients walked out and have not been heard of since. Three others absented themselves without leave, 'being missing at dinner. They returned later in the day. one of them under the 'influence of liquor Soma of the consumptive patients wander down the street whenever they feel inclined, and at times return fl'nmk They also

bring in liquor and Tilde in outbuildings. Visitors come in at the open gates and sit 011 the benches till late at night. This is more marked since the Victoria Ward is occupied by soldiers, who are allowed to be out later than civilian patients. For these reasons, the superintendent reported, I think it is time that more efficient gate control should be instituted. It is suggested • .tliai offices should be built on one side of the entrance gale and a porter's lodge on t'he other. X have no objection to this addition to my scheme, but I desire 'to emphasiso the need for control -of tho the gate. The chairman remarked that guarding the entrances by porters was verj heccssary. Conduct in the grounds had been absolutely disgraceful. It had been found necessary to lock up the bandstand. As the meeting of the 'board was not in order owing to flic absence of a quorum, the report was only informally discussed and held over till the ordinary jaeeting on Wednesday next.