Appendix F.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PROVINCIAL SURGEON, WITH REPORT OF ARCHITECT TO HOSPITAL TRUSTEES ATTACHED.

Provincial Hospital,
Wellington, 10th April, 1875.

Sir,--

I have the honor to forward my Annual Report upon this Hospital:—

During the past year the advent of a large number of immigrants, not only from Europe, but also from neighbouring colonies, has materially increased the work of this institution, and it is only by the increased accommodation afforded by the erection of temporary buildings, that the constantly increasing calls upon my resources can be met;
I am much indebted to the Trustees of the Hospital for their prompt action in erecting these buildings, upon my representing the absolute necessity for them; these new wards will enable me to admit eighteen more patients than I could last year, and thus I hope to provide for the coming winter, during which season the calls for admission are always more numerous and pressing than at any other time. I am also now able to use one ward for fevers, and as we are at present suffering from a violent epidemic, this convenience is of incalculable benefit to the patients.

Since my last report the Hospital has been provided with a certain and unlimited supply of good water from the City Water Works.

There is no improvement in the state of the old buildings since my last report, but as plans for a new Hospital have been prepared and tenders for its erection, I believe, are to be immediately called for, I do not think it necessary to remark further on this point.

Mrs. Green, who has held the position of nurse since the establishment of the Hospital in Wellington, finding, after twenty-four years constant service, that advancing age prevents her fulfilling her duties to her own satisfaction, has notified her wish to retire, and as she has not been able to make any provision for her declining years, she leaves her case to the liberal consideration of the Government. Younger and more active nursing is required, and in my estimate for the coming year I have provided for it.

I have great pleasure in supporting Mrs. Green’s appeal, as she has been for so many years an industrious and faithful servant.

I feel it to be my duty to report that the out-door patients are becoming a great and rapidly increasing anxiety to me. Thus constant encroachments are made upon my own time and also upon my assistant, Mr. Monteith, by calls to attend upon patients outside the Hospital. No provision has ever been made in Wellington for medical attendance upon the sick and poor at their own homes. This extra work is a serious impediment to the performance of the legitimate duties of the Hospital, and will remain a severe tax upon me and my assistant until a city dispensary or some other charitable institution be established to do this work.

The accompanying table shows the number of patients admitted during the year ending on the 31st day of March last:—

The number of out-door patients who received advice and medicines, for terms varying from one week to three months, during the years ending 31st March, 1874, was 566; and 31st March, 1875, was 980.

I have, &c.,
Alexander Johnston, M.D.,
Provincial Surgeon.

His Honor the Superintendent,
Wellington.