HOSPITAL BOARD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9657, 14 July 1919, Page 5

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING.

■Tko monthly meeting of the Ashburton Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held to-day. The 1 members present were Messrs C. Reid (chairman), J. Cairns. T. Doherty, H. J. Harrison, W. Robinson, F. W. "Watt, and W. J. Dickie, M.P. • •■ CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.

The Chairman (Mr C.Relcl) reported as follows: "Scarlet fever is still visiting various parts of the Ashburton County. Three cases came under notice curing June, one each in the Borough, Waterton, and Mitcham. Four notifications of influenza were made, two at Rakaia and two in the Borough. The new disease, lethargic encephalitis, also made its appearance, one person being attacked within the Borough. There were two deaths from consumption. The repairs authorised in connection with the Doctor's residence have been completed, and some minor conveniences have also been attended to. In order to have direct telephone communication between the hospital and the Doctor's residence, I have asked the Post and Telegraph Department to quote for a satisfactory installation. The matter of expense will be moderate, as the 'Ashburton Electric Supply Co. Ltd., have given permission to run the 'phone wires on the electric light poles at present in position in Cox Street, opposite the hospital. The contract for painting the hospital is well advanced, and- nothing more can be done until the fever wards are clear, and the board has decided on the proposals re Nurses' Home. The new fever wards are not yet put of the builder's hands, though the contract period expired on April 28th last. Owing to the delay in completing the contract for the yards, the matter of roading and laying out the grounds has been delayed, and will add to the expense, as the work entails more and heavier labour. The renovation of the Nurses' Home has been held in abeyance pending the board's decision re proposed alterations.' I am of opinion that owing to the railway dislocation, and the difficulty in securing material, it would be wise to hold the matter over until things are more settled. :■■'■■

As the fever ward contract is now Bearing completion, I have dispensed with the further services of the Clerk of Wdrks.

The severe frosts having damaged some of the pipes in the old fever ward, I have had temporary repairs effected, and will have the work completed as soon as all, infectious cases are out and the wards have been disinfected. A new casting has been obtained for the coke stove in the laundry drying room. Thia will cost less than a new stove would have done. Larger stoves of this pattern are not procurable."—Mr Doherty askedi whether a penalty would be enforced in connection with the delay in completion of the fever ward.—The chairman replied that he had asked the architect for a report, but it had not yei oome to hand.—Mr Doherty pointed out that owing to the • delay the board had extra expense through retaining the services of the clerk of works, and this should be met by the contractor. STAFF REPORTS.

The treasurer reported a credit balance of £1600 8s Id, which "..included credit at the bank £1341 l&s lOd and Health Department's refunda due £268 18s 3d. The receipts since last meeting aggregated £1401 4s 3d and included County Council £1347 10s, Hampatead Town Board £6 8s 6d. treasury £26, donation £1, sundries 10s lid, patients' fees £22 6s lOd.'

Mr E.N. Johnson, Health Inspector, reported that during the month there were five notifications of scarlet fever in the district, one of lethargic encephatitis. four of influenza, and two of tuberculosiß. The remainder of the repore dealt with various inspections carried out during tße month, which included a visit to the Mount Soniers coal pits to inspect the dwellings occupied by the men.—Received. The ex-Medical Superintendent (Dr. Rendle) reported that on June 1 there were 22 males and 15 females in the hospital. During the month 15 males and five females were admitted and 17 males and 13 females discharged. One male patient had died of influenzal broncho-pneumonia, leaving 19 males and seven females in the institution at the end of June. Sis operations had been performed, two of them having been of a major nature. His operations during the 51 months he was m charge of the institution aggregated 494, of which 150 were major.—lt was decided to place on record the board's.appreciation of the services Dr. Rendle had rendered during the time he had been Medical Superintendent. The Matron reported that it was omitted last meeting to record that Nurse Duncan had passed her hospital examination. Probationers E. Smith and M Paterson had completed their time on trial and passed the preliminary examination, and she recommended that they now be put on the staff of the hospital. The remainder, of the report dealt with- minor improvements required at the iastitution. —Received.

CORRESPONDENCE. Mr W. Gallagher, Mayfield, wrote pointing out- the need of a trained nurse for the large and scattered district./ Mr Gallagher asked whether tiie board would in any way be willing to help the settlers to procure the services- of a nurse to reside in the district.—The chairman stated that it was only fair that the district should be assisted in this matter. —Referred to a special committee to report. The Telegraph Department wrote regarding a private telephone between the Medical Superintendent's house and the hospital, stating that as the wire would not be run on the Department's pole 9it could not undertake I the work of erection. —Received. The Timaru Hospital Board forwarded a circular letter stating that the board was now facing the suggestion of the Minister that a consumptive sanatorium should bo built in a suitable locality by a number of small boards in combination. It was suggested that Inangahua, Grey, Westland, Buller, Ashburton, Waitaki, and South Canterbury Boards should mutually select, a suitable site and: proceed to establish an institution to bo run conjointly by the various boards on a proportional basis, details to be settled later. A conference of delegates was held at Timaru on July 10.—The chairman stated that the only satisfactory solution of the difficulty was the Government taking control of the , consumptive sanatoriums. He had not attended the conference at Timaru.^Mr' J. Cairns stated that, judging by the recent disclosures at Featherston CaißP^ Government treatment of consumptives was not very