Annual report of the Cape Hospital Board, Cape Town.

  • Cape Town (South Africa). Cape Hospital Board.
Date:
[1943]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Cape Hospital Board, Cape Town. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the attention of the Board and that nothing should be allowed to stand in the way of providing the nursing staff with suitable quarters. The Board have approved of a scheme for providing the necessary accommodation and the matter has been taken up with the Provincial Administration who, I am sure, if they saw the conditions under which the nurses are housed at present, would readily agree to it. LADY MICHAELIS ORTHOPAEDIC HOME: The shortage of trained nurses with orthopaedic experience has been felt greatly at this institution with the result that the work has been carried out under extreme difficulty. The staff have, however, stood up to the test in a most admirable manner. PRINCESS ALICE HOME OF RECOVERY: The extension of this home has been under consideration for some years past. The late Dr. P. Roux devoted a great deal of time and thought to the type of accommodation which would be most suitable for the treatment of the special type of case treated at this institution, and his death was a great loss to the Committee. His successor (Dr. H. Bell) together with the late Matron (Miss D. Lack) in consultation with a sub-committee gave their time and special knowledge to the development of the scheme (which includes additional accommodation for the staff)—this has been approved by the Board and it is believed will prove exceedingly satisfactory. The complete develop¬ ment scheme has been prepared in such a manner that it can be proceeded with in sections as necessity arises. It was intended to provide, as a first instalment, 120 additional beds, but in view of the high costs of building it may be necessary to reduce this number to 80. There is also a difficulty in regard to drainage, but the City Council have promised their co-operation in the matter : this is very welcome and greatly appreciated, as the extensions cannot be proceeded with until the drainage is provided. The thanks of the Board are due to the Nuffield Trust, who have given a -contribution of £5,000 to the Cape Cripple Care Association on a pound for pound basis towards the cost of the extensions, and also to the Women’s Hospital Auxiliary (Princess Alice Home Committee) for their promise of support. The Board provide facilities at the Groote Schuur Hospital, the Princess Alice Home of Recovery and the Lady Michaelis Orthopaedic Home for the training of orthopaedic nurses which is carried out by the Sister- Tutor appointed by the National Council for the Care of Cripples. EATON CONVALESCENT HOME: The Board very much appreciate the action of the Women’s Hospital Auxiliary in appointing a Ladies’ Committee (Chairman, Mrs. E. Joubert) in connection with the Home. A scheme for the extension of the Home was prepared some years ago, and a section of the work (comprising a dining and recreation room for non- Europeans) is nearing completion : this will enable the old dining room to be used for patients (ten extra beds) and thus provide additional accommo¬ dation which is greatly needed. Every effort will be made to proceed with further extensions to the Home in the near future, for it must be borne in mind that the cost per patient in a Convalescent Home is considerably less than the cost in a hospital, and by transferring as many patients as, possible from hospitals to the Home, not only will expenditure be reduced at the hospitals, but the existing pressure on hospital beds will be relieved. McGREGOR PREVENTIVE AND CONVALESCENT HOME : The work at this institution is proceeding satisfactorily. It has been decided to change the name from “ The McGregor Convalescent Home ” to the above designation. It is a matter for satisfaction that the clinics are becoming
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