Recollection of Nola Cochrane , Patient , 1953
At the age of 28 , married with three young children , I ’ d recently returned from India to begin a new life at Mount Maunganui . Soon afterwards however , I became ill with rheumatic fever and needed to be admitted as a patient to Tauranga Hospital .
Did You Know ?
Tuberculosis ( TB ) is very resilient bacteria which caused widespread disease , particularly among Māori , in the early 1900 ’ s and was nearly eradicated by the antibiotic Streptomycin . One of the most effective forms of detection is by chest x-ray which will show TB very early . A vaccine for this deadly disease is still widely available today .
When arrangements had been made for my family to be cared for , I gratefully packed a suitcase and caught the ferry to Tauranga – alighting near the town centre , a taxi took me to the hospital .
Dr Sligo Medical Superintendent .
From there , things went a little awry ! To begin with , I ’ d arrived alone and carrying a suitcase ( for a stay of several weeks ). I was probably mistaken for a new live-in housekeeper as I found myself deposited in an unfamiliar part of the hospital .
Tauranga Hospital Doctors in 1964 . Left to right : Paul Mountfort , Consultant Surgeon ; Roger Callbert , House Surgeon ; Ralph Simmons , Consultant Physician ; Harold Gilbert , Consultant Surgeon ; Graeme Darby , Orthopaedic Surgeon ; Cathryn Darby , Physician ; David Wilkie , Director of Anaesthesia , Douglas Short , Surgeon Superintendent ; Harry Watts , Surgeon and Urologist , Dr Langley , House Surgeon and Dr Coates-Milson , Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon .
While considering what to do next and feeling embarrassed , a man nearby noticed me . He was middle-aged , stocky , casually dressed , and cheeky ! He could have been the caretaker , gardener or similar . Nevertheless he approached me kindly and offered assistance .
“ I ’ m a patient to be admitted to the hospital ,” I said , and as an afterthought , added , “ with rheumatic fever !”
“ Then you shouldn ’ t be carrying that suitcase – give it to me ,” he replied sternly . “ I ’ ll carry it for you and take you to the Ward Sister ’ s office .”
The new Central Sterile Supply Department 1964 .
Perhaps he was the porter and not the caretaker ? I meekly followed this man until we ’ d reached the Ward Sister ’ s office .
“ Your patient has arrived ,” he grandly announced loudly ; winking at me and handing the suitcase to a nurse .
“ Find her a bed ,” he ordered and abruptly left – but not as either the caretaker , the porter , or similar …. but as the superintendent of the hospital !
He was the unforgettable Dr Sligo .
Inspecting the new building in 1964 .
28