Report of the Director-General of Public Health, New South Wales.
- New South Wales. Department of Public Health
- Date:
- [1951]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Report of the Director-General of Public Health, New South Wales. Source: Wellcome Collection.
87/96 page 87
![LIVERPOOL STATE HOSPITAL AND HOME. Report of Medical Superintendent for the year ended 31st December, 1951. Honorary Visiting Staff. Surgeon, J. A. Lawson, M.B., Ch.M., F.R.A.C.S.; Assistant Surgeons, N. C. Newton, M.B., B.S., F.R.A.C.S., and Justin Fleming, M.B., B.S., F.R.C.S.; Orthopaedic Surgeon, Neville H Morgan, O.B.E., M.B., B.S., F.R.C.S., Ortho. (London) ; Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon, J. R. Wadsworth, M.B., B.S., F.R.C.S., D.L.O. (London). Staff. Recruitment of staff personnel proceeded more satisfac¬ torily during 1951 than in earlier post-war years, but there did exist, throughout the year under review, a lack of balance, or disproportion, between trained and untrained personnel in respect both of male and female nursing staffs alike. With the continued reception of patients in “D” Ward which, after a lapse of four and a half years, was recommissioned in July, 1950, the hospital functioned to its full bed capacity through¬ out the whole of the year. Details of staff actually employed as at 31st December., 1951, are as follows, viz.:— Medical Superintendent, C. R. O’Brien, M.B., Ch.M.; Senior Medical Officer (Acting), J. J. L. McDonald, L.R.C.P.; Medical Officer, ,J. O. Marel, M.B., B.S.; Manager, E. C. Barrett, J.P.; Matron, N. Hoare; Dispenser, two clerks, four office assistants, storekeeper and assistant storekeeper, thirty-four nurses (in¬ cluding twenty untrained), chief attendant, deputy chief attendant, thirty-three attendants, thirty-one other male staff, eleven other female staff. In addition, a dental surgeon attended the Institution one whole day of each week. Number of Beds and Wards. Hospital Division, comprising eleven wards containing 290 beds (including three cots), whilst dormitory accommodation for inmates of the home section remained at 446 beds through¬ out the year. Admissions and Discharges. In residence 1st January, 1951, 688; admitted during year, 2,810; discharged, 2,419; died, 385. Total remaining at 31st December, 1951, 694. Average daily number resident, 688.25. Average cost per occupied bed, £192 15s. 5d. such rooms, together with adjoining sanitary annexes; com¬ pletion of renewal of the flooring in the main dormitory block, installation of sixteen wasli basins therein where previously such provision did not exist, and tiling of the walls of the two sanitary annexes and adjoining washrooms; interior painting of the general office and administrative offices in addition to four staff residences—at which exterior painting was also carried out—and painting of Wards “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “G”, “M” and “N”, and bathrooms and other annexes at such locations. Hopes entertained regarding a commencement being made with the re-building programme envisaged, for which plans and, I understand, working drawings have been completed for some considerable time, were, however, not realised. Having regard to the unsuitable, outmoded and dilapidated condition of all buildings which have been noted for demoli¬ tion, their replacement with modern structures equipped with modern appliances, fittings, equipment and furnishings, is patently both an imperative and pressingly urgent requirement. Services.—The services of the institution were maintained in a reasonably satisfactory manner during the year. Concern is felt, however, as to the further period of service which can be expected from the steam raising plant which has been in commission here for very many years. As the likelihood of a complete breakdown in such services is not considered as remote, the provision and installation of two modern boilers in replacement of the existing high pres¬ sure units is an immediate need. Work on the relaying of a section of the main sewer pipe¬ line—112 feet approximately—from the rear of “A’’ and “B” Wards to the vicinity of “G” Ward, which was commenced late in 1950, was completed in May of the year under review. Entertainments.—As in past years, frequent Saturday even¬ ing concerts, with occasional mid-week entertainments of a variety character, were provided throughout the year and were invariably well attended by the inmates. The grateful thanks of this administration are tendered to all members of parties who have so contributed in affording such pleasurable hours to those within our care. Throughout the entire year the weekly cinema entertainment continued to find great favour among our inmate populace. Another pleasing and noteworthy feature, aimed at promot¬ ing a brighter Christmas, were the donations in cash made by such associations as the Australian Workers’ Union, Waterside Workers’ Union and the Ex-Imperial Soldiers, Sailors and Air¬ men’s Sub-Branch to inmate members and ex-members of their respective organisations during the near-Christmas period. Summary of Ward Patients Treated during 1951. Section. In hospital 1-1-51. Admitted during year. Discharged during year. Died during year. In hospital 31-12-51. Cancer wards . 61 147 49 97 62 General wards . 170 338 144 194 170 Total . 231 485 193 291 232 District wards . 50 1,148 1,064 90 44 Grand total ... 281 1,633 1,257 381 276 Operations. A total of 371 operations were performed during the year, of which 272 could be classified as major operations. Out-patients. Total estimated number of attendances by out-patients here during the year under review is set down as 44,679. Review of Work. Building's.—-Following the previous year’s apparently planned deferment of work, under this heading, it is pleasing to report that much greater activity on the part of the Public Works Department was witnessed at this institution during 1951. Most noteworthy projects relate to completion of general renovations of the interior of the out-patients department including painting, which was completed in November of the vear under review; renewal in hardwood of the tour hre me .yeai ““uo* > , 1TV, «-p» j warr],. escape stairways serving C ,_ D E and ± warns, completion of general renovations to the cottage formerly tenanted by the herdsman; installation of three wash basins in each of the bathroms of “E” and “F” wards and tiling of Farm—Piggery and Vegetable Garden. For several years, in the various annual reports furnished by this management, regret has been expressed that antici¬ pated restoration of the farm lands and piggery buildings and services to their pre-army occupation condition had not been achieved and, in respect of the year now under review, it is regrettable that similar comment only can be offered. Meanwhile, further deterioration of buildings is occurring in this section of the institution—a section in lvhicli a profitable venture could be re-embarked upon immediately services, build¬ ings, etc., are placed in a satisfactory condition. In respect of vegetable garden activities, though flood rains in January, 1951, destroyed sowings of root crops, and the prolonged dry weather from October onward, retarded growth and scorching winds burned off crops in the seedling stage, a total quantity of 34,900 lb. of vegetables, embracing fourteen varieties, was harvested during the year. In respect of the subsidiary activity of guinea pig raising, which is also conducted by the vegetable gardener, a total of 556 guinea pigs were supplied in 1951 to the pathological laboratory and other scientific bodies. Gardens and Grounds. Gardens and the grounds generally were maintained in a reasonably satisfactory condition throughout the year. The development of the area surrounding the Cancer Divi¬ sion along planned lines, to create a parkland studded with ornamental trees and flowering shrubs, is envisaged, but as a pre-requisite, the use of earth-moving equipment in levelling and draining the area is involved, and will need attention by the Department of Public Works, in view of the magnitude of the work to be undertaken.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b3148542x_0087.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
