Hospital Committee

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 6207, 1 March 1904, Page 3

Hospital Committee

The u?ual monthly meeting of tho Afhhuitott Hospital Cutuiiiibtee was heid this mor.ung. i'ro^ent-Mr Hugo Frieolander (chHtnunn), the .Mnyor (Mr 11. Davis-J, and Jlfs^-s .1. iStu'iholmu and C. Keid.

An apolnyv was received for absence from Mr T. Harriaon.

i lie Ladies' Visiting Committee report liook was laid ou the table and approved. CORRESPON'DKNCB Correspondence waß dnalb with a 8 follows :—

From Mrs Walker thanking the Committee for the resolution of sympathy pa&SHd it the last mealing of the Committee on the oncMsion of the deah of her husband, the Hon. "YV. C. Walker. -Keceived.

oruui iVLra <J. <). harper, declining to act nu tiie Ladies Visiting Committee.— Eeceived.

Fruui the Matron, applying for three weeks leave of absence from Murch 7th.— Keci.'ivttd, and application granted, subject to Dr Trevor's »pproval.

From TSTurse Robert?, resigning her position at the Ashburton Hospital from March 31st, as sho proposed taking up her profession in another city.—Letter received and resignation accepted with regret.

From the Matron, pointing out that Nurses Roberts and Wilkie had not y«t received their certificates, and requesting that they bo forwarded before Nurse Roberts' departure.—Received.

The matter was left in the hands of the Chairman, to see the surgeon and comply with ib<* request.

ASSISTANT HOUSE SURGEON'S KEPOKT,

In tbo absence of the house surgeon, the assistant house surgeon reported that at the end of Jaimary there were 17 patients (10 male and 7 female) in the Hospital. During the past month 13 males and 4 females had beeu admitted, and 11 nalos and 6 females discharged. One male had died, and there were now remaining in the Hospital 11 males and 5 females. Chloroform had been administered four times during the month.

The report was received

The Chairman referred to the matter of erecting 1 temporary buildings for the accommodation of smallpox patients, as recommended by the Health Officer, Dr Mason. He was not in favour of Dr Mason's recommendation being carried out. , Mr Studholme thought that such buildings, if built, should b« close to the railway line, when they would be available for a very large district. Mr C. Reid thought that the temporary for«r wards at present erected would be sufficient for the present

The Chairman was opposed to having infectious disease wards near the main Hospital. Mr Studholme thought that the Health Department should be informed that the -Committee considered the Department's suggestions as to smallpox buildings i|uite impracticable, and the construction of such buildir.gs unnecessary and impossible. Proposed by Mr Studholuie, and seconded j by the Mayor, that in the opinion of the Committee the difficulty and cost likely to be involved in making eflicient locil nr rangements to effectively meet outbreaks of such diseases as plague and smallpox are so great that this Committee cannot see its way to comply with the Health Department's requirements, and begs to state that if any cuee of smallpox or plague should arise, the responsibility of dealing with such a ca^e will be left to the Health Department. Carried. It was decided to forward a copy of the resolution to the District Health Officer.

Mr C. Roid thought that a Conference of Hospital Boards should be called to consider the matter.

The Chairman suggested that the District Hospital Boards of Canterbury should confer.

It was moved by Mr C. Reid, and seconded by Mr Studholme, that in conformity with a resolution passed ab last meeting a Conference as suggested should ba called, the Mayor and the Chairmnn to be appointed as the Committee's delegates. Carried. The Cnairman reported that the water supply at the Hospital had lately been failing, and although alterations had been mado in the pumping arrangements, the shortage still continued. The matter was left in the hands of the Chairman to be dealt wfth.

The Mayor reported that all odour had disappeared from the septic tank at his last visit to the Hospital.

The Engineer (Mr T. KuVorth) was called in, and gave an explanation as to the Hospital water supply. Alterations had beeu made in the pumps, and he thought that everything would now work satisfactorily.

Messrs Red and Studholme were appointed a.Visiting Committee to visit the Hospital next month.

It was decided lo hold tho next meeting of the Committee on April 9th.

Accounts totalling ,£B4 143 were passed for payment and the meeting then adjourned.