46 I7ie Hospital Requirements of Sydney. 



argument in favour of detached hospisals in various localities, but 

 it really is a strong reason reason for one well appointed and com- 

 plete institution. 



It must be evident that several separate establishments cannot 

 be built, efficiently managed, provided with a suitable staff of 

 honorary medical officers, and supported by public subscriptions 

 with a population so limited as ours, and I infer, therefore, that 

 it will be preferable at the present time to limit our efforts to the 

 satisfactory completion of that which already exists, and occupies 

 a site which, for general convenience and healthiness, certainly 

 cannot be supassed. 



It will propably be necessary at some future but distant period 

 to provide a second general hospital in such a position as will, as 

 nearly as possible, be central to the most popular district in the 

 south-western direction. 



Having thus considered the subject in detail, it remains that I 

 should state the conclusions to which the investigation has led me. 

 The references which I have drawn are : — 



1st. That the present is a favourable period for developing a 

 general scheme of hospital accommodation, and that all future ex- 

 penditure should only be made in furtherence of this view. 



2nd. That such a general scheme should comprise — 



a. A hospital for acute cases, situated in a central position in 



the metropolis. 



b. A hospital for the convalscing and chronic cases, situated 



upon the line of railway, at such a distance from Sydney 

 as will ensure a more bracing climate, freedom from the 

 sea breeze, and facility of management. 



c. An infirmary, also placed in the country, for the reception of 



all persons of the hand- working class who may have be- 

 come permently infirm. 



3rd. That the circumstances of the colony have caused a rapid 

 increase of persons whose infirmities of health render them more 

 fitted for relief in Government establishments than in hospitals 

 supported by voluntary contributions. 



4th. That the first consideration of those who desire to deal 

 with this subject should be the provision of efficient accommoda- 

 tion for the acute cases. 



5th. That acute cases of disease and severe accidents should be 

 accommodated in one or more hospitals, occuping a central 

 position in the metropolis, and affording a present aggregate of 

 about 350 beds. 



6th. That the site of the Sydney Infirmary is well adapted for 

 the purposes of a General Central Hospital, and that the existence 

 of the south wing and Nightingale wing renders it desirable that 

 it should be retained as such. 



