HOSPITAL BOARD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 251, 26 November 1914, Page 8

HOSPITAL BOARD.

THE MONTHLY MEETING A meeting of * the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, held this morning, was attended by Messrs IV Horrell (chairman), J. 3L Davison, A. If. Turnbull, W. P. Spencer, W. W. Tanner, W. H. Cooper," Isaac Andrew, H. J. Otley, G. Scott, 0. Bradley, T, jD. Boag, Hon. R. Moore, and Mesdames I Christie and Wilson. The "chairman welcomed to the board Mr I. Andrew, who has been appointed to succeed Mr W. McMillan. It was decided to place on record the board's* appreciation of Mr McMillan's service? whilst a member of the board. A PUBLIC HEALTH QUESTION". Messrs Helmore and van Asche, on behalf of the Rangiora Borough Council, wrote asking that the board, take steps to have revoked the Order-in-Coun cil delegating certain of its powers tr the board in dealing with matters (

public health. The chairman explained that in ifc"» relations with local bodies, the board was hampered by the fact that it could not take action on the report of its inspectors if such action conflicted with the by-laws of the Ideal body. Ho thought that the best scheme-would be for the question to be referred to the Public Health Committee.

Mr Otley supported the proposal. It one local body complained there might be others inclined to do the same thing. Of course, some small local bodies were never pleased. The millennium itself would not satisfy them. (Laughter.) Mr Tanner was of the opinion that when power to deal with matters of public health was. placed in the hands of the board, it should have been taken, away from the local bodies. Under tho present system there was a great deal of friction. , When two persons rode one horse, one of them must be behind. The chairman said that the board should either have full control of public health matters, or have nothing whatever to do with them. (-Hear, hear.) "

The Public Health Committee was instructed to furnish a written report on the question at the next meeting.

CONSUMPTIVE MAORIS.

The Inspector-Genieral of 'Hospitals (Dr Valintine) write with regard to the request for a nurse to be sent to Tuahiwi in order to look after consumptive Maoris, that an appointment would be made, but eircumstaiices were such that it might be some time before anyone could be sent.

Some discussion took place on the question, in tlie course of which a letter . from the- district-was read to the effect that if ' the Public Health Department does not do something quickly there would be no Natives to look after..

The chairman said that there was urgent need for tents for the treatment of patients, and the Department had. been applied to on several occasions x for tents, but nothing was done. The board was pressed to supply - > tents, in order to counteract the Department 's delay. The board, he said, could supply tents which cost cply "about £2, whereas the District H-ealth Officer said that they cost him £7 or £fiL It ,was decided to send the tents as requested, and. apply to the "Department for payment, it having first of all ascertained. whether Dr ~€iu?sson had arranged' for the sending of tents. DENTAL DEPARTMENT OVERTAXED. The Hospital Committee reported that the dental surgeon's report indicated that the department is being somewhat heavilypressed with work. A copy of the report had been referred to the Dental Ward Management Committee -for. a suggestion, as to the best means, of coping with the number of patients. .<•'

Several members said that the matter was oiie for immediate consideration. There was no doubt that the work of the department was falling into arrears, ami patients were being seriously delayed. Further assistance was urgently required. It would cost, say, £l5O a year, but this amount would be considerably recouped by the extra fees earned. The matter was referred to the Hospital Committee with power to. act.

PAYMENT FOR BOARDING-OUT. The Chkritabte Aid Committee reported that the letter from the Canterbury Women's Institute, inviting the board support a resolution asking the Government to introduce a higher- scare -o£ payment for children boarded-out, had been considered and the committee had no recommendation to make. In Octobcr r 1913, the board had adopted a somewhat higher rate of payment for the maintenance t children boarded-out by the board.;

Mr Cooper said that the rate of 8/- a week was too low at the present cost of foodstuffs, etc.; 10/- a week was qf »£ little enough. Mrs" Wilson thought that 8/- was too little to pay, but they should beware of making the rate, too high—otherwise people would take in children for the sake of profit. •Mr Bradley: I shouldn't mind setting' up a sanatorium and taking them all in at 10/- a week. , The clause was adopted, Mr Cooper announcing that he would bring up the matter at the end of the year.

MISCELLANEOUS. The health inspectors reported _ having made enquiries during October into 2.> cases of scarlet fever, 11 of diphtheria, IS of tuberculosis, 4 of erysipelas, 4 of puerperal septicaemia, 5 of chicken-pox; 346 inspections or enquiries were made. The total number of patients at Boftlc Lake Hospital was reported as 32. It was reported that there were oy patients awaiting admission to hosj>ital at the end of the month. During Oetober there were 48 fittciicl&iiees tno venereal department, and eight new patients were treated. A circular letter was read from the Minister of Internal Affairs, pointing out that the National Provident Fund had been extended so as to give local bodies power to establish a superan- ( nuation scheme for its employees. The matter was referred to the Finance- , Committee for a report. The Hospital Committee reported thiat owing to the war, hospital cotton wool was in short supply, and arrangements had been made for delivery of half a ton in about four months, and a further half-ton three or four months later. Tno chairman explained that this allowed the board to get its supply cheaper. The clause was adopted. The Public Health Committee reported that the Westland Hospital and. Charitable Aid Board has expressed a wish to erect two shelters at the sanatorium. The other boards which have signified willingness to erect shelters are the Buller, Grey, and Wairau. An agreement is being drawn' up so that there shall be no misunderstanding, between the boards. The secretary reported that after pro-, viding for cheques drawn to date, the board's account would be in.debit £2065 6/9, but against this there was subsidy payable amounting to £2648 12/8.