HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION". 15 



I should, for economical reasons, suggest that they might be thus 

 utilized at the present time ; but as they are now occupied, and 

 contemplating a general scheme as we are now doing, it is our 

 duty to consider which is the best, and as such, we can have 

 no hesitation in acknowledging that the Chronic Hospital should 

 be placed out of Sydney. 



We have next to consider how these principles can be carried 

 out in the most efficient manner under existing circumstances, 

 and in doing so we have to bear in mind that the demand for 

 beds during the last two years has been met by the daily average 

 of vacant beds arising from a total of 264, and that in future St. 

 Yincent's Hospital will supply at least sixty. 



The following schemes are open for our selection : — 



1st. That towards which we appeared to be drifting, and the 

 serious evils of which have induced me to trouble you with this paper. 



The front Infirmary buildings to be rebuilt, and the Directors 

 of the Prince Alfred Hospital to be left to put up a couple of 

 pavilions, without information as to the manner in which our 

 hospitals are to be arranged, organized and supported. 



This plan would afford, in the first instance, about sixty beds — 

 more than would be required ; and the two hospitals would be 

 rivals in the competition for patients and funds. 



The Medical School being at the University, great inconvenience 

 would arise from the students having to attend two hospitals, the 

 most distant of which from the University would, from its central 

 position in the city, possess the most serious cases of disease and 

 accident. 



Two Boards of management would be in existence, and two 

 administrative establishments, with their respective officers, would 

 be required for a number of patients which could be managed 

 with more efficiency and economy by one. 



The current expenditure of hospitals is proportionately greater 

 in the small than in the large, but this would probably be counter- 

 balanced in some degree by the distance of the Prince Alfred 

 Hospital from town, and by the much greater perfection of its 

 arrangements. 



The following table shows the cost, accommodation, &c. : — 



SCHEME A. 



Beds. Cr. Dr. 



Eebuilding tlie front and outbuildings, &c., of Sydney £ £ 



Infirmary 177 ... 30,000 



Building two pavilions of the Prince Alfred Hospital 128 ^ ... 24,000 



Ditto administrative block ... ... .., ' ... 20,000 



St. Vincent's Hospital ... ... ... ... ... 60 ... 



Prince Alfred Hospital Fund 24,000 



Eequired from Grovernment ... ... ... 50,000 



Total beds 365 £74,000 £74,000 



Surplus beds over present demand, about 85. 



