Hospital funding

Today we went to Kenepuru Hospital for an appointment for the wee man. The result was positive, in that Dom is very healthy, but confusing, in that the doctor wasn't really sure whether the risks of surgery outweighed the benefits (in terms of reducing risk of future complications). We have another appointment with the specialist next month, so we'll ask a bunch of probing questions then.

We were both horrified, it must be said, at the dilapidated condition of some of the hospital resources. The buildings, grounds, medical equipment and decor were all excellent - not quite American TV flash, but clean, newish looking, and in good repair. The waiting room, however, featured this shocking textbook filled with horrific animal accidents:



See the malformed maw of the king of the jungle!



The terrifying headless giraffe!


Caesarean gone wrong? Marsupial pouchless roo!


His nose is out of joint! What accident befell this poor croc?


See the snake's body? What body? Dear God, the head is still alive!


Should our hospitals really have such reading material available to children? Can we not find a few extra dollars in the budget for books about healthy animals? Or has this book been planted by the NZ Veterinary Society to get kids interested in helping animals...?