6 HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION. 



The principle upon whicli our hospital accommodation should be 

 established may be described as that by which it can be provided 

 of the most complete form, of the required extent to meet 

 existing demands, and be capable of systematic progressive 

 increase to fulfil the requirements of the future. It ought not, 

 however, at any period to be much in excess of the demand, 

 neither should the cost of its original construction or annual 

 support exceed the smallest amount for which these can be efii- 

 ciently provided. 



With these principles for our guide we have to consider — 

 Istly. What is the character, extent, and current expenditure 



of our existing hospital accommodation ? 

 2ndly. What are the present and probable future require- 

 ments of the community in respect to this ? 

 3rdly. What are the best means of dealing with the existing 

 accommodation, with a view to removing its defects, and 

 supplementing it to meet the demands of the future ? 



In the course of this inquiry it will be necessary to speak of 

 some of the benevolent asylums, but only to such an extent as 

 they bear upon the subject of hospital accommodation. 



For a full description of these establishments I must refer you 

 to the excellent Eeport of the Charity Commission. It will be 

 suificient for our present purpose if I briefly mention those at 

 Liverpool, Parramatta, and Hyde Park. 



The Liverpool Asylum is in many respects a good and substan- 

 tial institution, and in all, a model of good management ; but^ 

 with the exception of the new wing, it possesses no special 

 accommodation for hospital cases. I should like to add another 

 word in praise of an institution which appears to me an example 

 to most others which I have seen in the Colony. Having recently 

 visited several of the best establishments in Europe of a similar 

 character, it afibrds me pleasure to say that I cannot call to mind 

 any in which more was accomplished with the means at the 

 disposal of the officers. 



The Asylum at Parramatta consists of several buildings, all of 

 which are very old and many in very bad repair. It was never 

 adapted to the purposes for which it is now used, more especially 

 as a home for aged invalids or hospital cases. The mangement is 

 the converse of that of Liverpool, though both establishments 

 are under the same Board. 



Hyde Park Asylum is clean and well ordered, " but is very 

 much too confined for the purpose to which it is devoted, and its 

 position within the city is unsuitable. 'No room exists for the 

 reception of cancer and otlier cases, often received from the Infirm- 

 ary, the presence of which is distressing to the other inmates." * 



* Charity Commission's Report. 



