105

H.—Bl

Visited 13th July. There were 26 patients in hospital. I arrived at dinner-time, and for about a quarter of an hour had the wards to myself and the patients. The cases under treatment were not, as may easily be imagined, very ill. There were 2 tubercular patients on the verandah. 1 of whom had been in the Hospital for over a year, and another for ten months. The wards were in excellent order, and it is evident that the economics of the institution are carefully considered. The need for an infectious ward in connection with this Hospital had recently been impressed on the Hospital Board. This is one of the most efficiently managed of our smaller hospitals. That the Matron has made a study of hospital economics is shown in the returns. Governing Body : Wairau Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Usual date of meeting : Second Thursday in each month. Wairau Hospital. Stipendiarv medical staff: James Freeborn Bennett. M.8.. Ch.B.; David Mathewson Nairn, L.R.C.P. Matron : W. S. Fulton. Localities, broadly, from which patients came: Marlborough, 270; Picton, 26; Takaka, 1; Wellington, 1; Wanganui, 1; Christchurch, 1; Nelson, 1; Kaikoura, 1; Greymouth, 1; Sydney, 1. Visited llth October, 1910. There were 20 patients in hospital. One. a ease of chronic arthritis, had been in over 200 days. Considering the Hospital is an old one, the wards were in good order; but the sanitary annexes are very much out of date, and unless the erection of a new Hospital is undertaken, these lavatories should be thoroughly renovated and provided with modern appliances. The unsatisfactory nature of the sanitary arrangements of this Hospital have been referred to in former reports, and is thoroughly recognized by the Board. On referring to the high cost of provisions per bed, I found that no diet scale w\s kept, and therefore that provisions were not ordered according to the number of patients in hospital. It would be greatly to the advantage of all concerned if proper case-books were kept, as at present, besides the admittance, consultation, and operation books, there are no records to show the course of illness of a patient under treatment. Lack of such records are often a source of embarrassment to the Board and staff in case of complaints by patients. A proper drying-room is badly needed. Aften my inspection I met the Chairman and some members of the Board, and stronglyadvised them, instead of building an Old People's Home as is contemplated, to build a newHospital adjoining the present site more in conformity with the needs of a prosperous district. I also took occasion to point out the need for careful inquiries into the high cost per bed in provisions, and drugs and dressings. » The cost was reduced by £13 per bed, economy having been shown in " Provisions,'' reduced by £7 per bed. and "Salaries and wages," by £9 per bed. There was an increase of £3 in •' Domestic and establishment." Governing Body : Wallace and Fiord Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Usual date of meeting : Thursday preceding third Friday of each month. Secretary : George O. Cassels. Wallace anil Fiord Hospital. Stipendiary medical staff: W. G. Trotter, M.D. and CM. Edin. Matron : Charlotte Bird. Localities, broadly, from which patients came: Wallace County, 140; Riverton Borough, 35; Otautau Town District, 25; Southland County. 9; Invercargill. 3: Otago, 9; Bluff. 1; Dunedin, 1. Visited 28th January, 1911. There were 14 patients, 3 of whom were better fitted for an Old People's Home than a hospital. A new operating-theatre was in course of erection, and the Board had also decided to build a new laundry, which is badly needed. The wards, garden, and grounds were in excellent order —in fact, this is an ideal countrv hospital. There is no sign of friction, and the Board realizes that in Dr. Trotter and the Matron. Miss Bird, it has careful and painstaking officers. A most economically administered Hospital, the cost per bed being only £99. Governing Body : Hawera Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Usual date of meeting : Third Monday each month. Secretary: C E. Parrington.