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PART IX.—SPECIAL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND SANATORIA: EXTRACTS FROM ANNUAL REPORTS OF MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS. SECTION I.—QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL, HANMER. Dr. P. Chisholm, Medical Superintendent; Dr. W. Sowekby ; Miss E. Hodges, A.R.R.C., Matron. I have the honour to present to you the annual report of the Queen Mary Hospital, and a report on other activities of the Department of Health at Hanmer. General. —During the past year there has been an increase in the number of civilian patients admitted, and a continue dreduction in the number of service patients. The type of patient seeking admission has gradually changed from the hysterical type which has been common in the past to a type tending more towards the severe anxiety neurosis, depressions, and insomnias. Women's Hospital.—-The Women's Hospital has not had any unoccupied beds during the year, and it has been necessary to extend the accommodation by taking in the waiting-rooms and erecting small shelters. Amongst the women patients there has been a large number admitted suffering from the impulsive neurosis. The results of treatment at the Women's Hospital have been satisfactory. Possibly this is due to the fact that women can be retained longer in hospital than men, and thereby their condition being more stabilized. New Hospital for Women. —The building has progressed satisfactorily and is now practically completed, although it may be some two or three months before we will be able to admit patients. With the number of patients presenting at the present rate it will be necessary to maintain both the new Hospital and the present Hospital for Women. Massage Department. —This department has continued to do good work under the charge sister. The staff employed has varied from two to three masseuses and one masseur. This staff deals with all in-patients of the hospital and a very considerable number of out-patients. Farm. —The work on the farm has proceeded satisfactorily. The new farm-manager appears to be a competent and hardworking man. An extra 80 acres of Crown land was taken at the latter part of last year, and this is gradually being broken up and sown down in grass. It should prove a very valuable asset to the farm. Mr. Bruce, Agricultural Adviser, has paid frequent visits, and we are very indebted to his advice for the successful management of the hospital farm. During the year the institution has been adequately supplied with milk. Bathhouses. —The public bathhouses have been kept in a reasonable state of repair. Owing to their age it is very difficult, and they are becoming an increasing source of expense from point of view of maintenance. They are very popular, and I am of opinion that the Department will have to consider shortly some very definite scheme as to the future of these buildings. Red Cross. —The Red Cross has maintained the recreation-hut for the male patients and provided entertainment for them. During the past year we have been very much indebted to them for their activities. Motor Transport.—During the year all motor transport has been taken off the road and all carting and passenger traffic has been dealt with by contract. lam quite sure that owing to the reasonable contract that has been arranged there is going to be a considerable saving to the Department. Alterations and, Improvements. —The number of minor alterations in the hospital have been carried out by the maintenance staff. An extra cloak-room and boot-room has been added to one of the wards for convenience of patients, and has proved very satisfactory. The laundry has been extended, and an extra ironing-room and storage-room has been added. The laundries are not well equipped with machinery, but at the same time the work appears to be done fairly satisfactorily. In respect to all improvements and alterations we have been very much indebted to Mr. Allan, Technical Inspector of the Department, for his advice and help. Water-service. —The new water-main has been completed from the reservoir to the village. This work has been carried out by the Public Works Department. The new main should save the Hospital and the village residents much inconvenience, and also save the Department the heavy expense that was being entailed by the constant repair of the old wooden-pipe line. Electric Plant. —The present machine works at full load, and a further extension of lighting is not possible without increasing the number of machines. A contract has recently been let to build the new power-house, and an extra machine and a standby petrol set will be installed in the new building. The residents of the village have been agitating for a very considerable time for electric light, but are now quite satisfied that there is a prospect of obtaining power from the Department. Gardens. —The Hospital gardens and the public grounds have been well cared for, and the institution has been well supplied with fruit and vegetables. Kiosk.—The work has been carried on satisfactorily at the Kiosk. The receipts are enough to pay the running-expenses, and the loss for the past year has been less than in previous years. Staff. —There has been the usual number of changes among the junior staff and a few changes amongst the senior staff. I attach the statistics for the year. I would take the opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the loyal services of the Hospital staff to the institution. I beg to thank the Hon. the Minister of Health and yourself for the support and advice which I have received during the past year.

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