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20
Cost of Maintenance.
The expenses of maintaining an Isolation Hospital, may at first
sight appear to be out of proportion to the small number of patients
treated in them. This is due to the fact that the Hospital must
always be kept in perfect readiness for the admission of patients ; and
hence arises the necessity for maintaining an efficient staff, even when
the Hospital is empty.
It is clear that if the first patients attacked in an outbreak
could not be at once admitted, the cases would multiply and the
Hospital would then be of little use in preventing an epidemic.
As regards the permanent staff the following Officers would be
reauired.
Medical Officer. Nurse.
Clerk. Servant.
Nurse—Matron. Man and Wife.
Man to act as gate porter, attend to ambulance, disinfector, keep
grounds in order, &c.
Wife to act as laundry woman, and assist in administrative block.
It is not very easy to arrive at a definite figure as regards annual
cost of maintenance when the number of patients is so absolutely
uncertain; but assuming that the wards were empty for 12 months
continuously, I estimate the cost for that period with the above staff
would be £270—£300, including uniform and maintainance for
nursing staff and servant.
On the other hand, if the beds were fully occupied for a year the
cost would be about £520. I estimate that the average cost per
annum would be about £400, exclusive of interest on Loans.
I have assumed in making this estimate that the Hospital would
be perfectly free to the ratepayers. This is only reasonable since the
public gain at least as much as the patient by isolation.
Some revenue may be derived from wealthier people who are
willing to pay suitable fees for the use of a private ward.
One of the most important measures in preventing the spread and
recurrence of Infectious Disease is efficient disinfection. This can
only be carried out by a Steam Apparatus. I have previously (Report
for 1896) shown that our system of disinfection after infectious illness
is far from satisfactory. It is the weak spot in our Sanitary Armament.
It is well known that unless this process is efficiently carried out the
germs of disease will lie dormant for long periods in bedding, clothing,
toys, &c., and break out into activity again under favourable
circumstances.
During the year we have had many cases of Diphtheria occurring
in previously infected houses, and it appears to me very probable that
some of these have been due to defective disinfection.
I would respectfully urge the Council to purchase a Steam
Disinfecting Apparatus at once.