HOSPITAL BOARD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 200, 10 June 1929, Page 7

HOSPITAL BOARD

REPORTS BY OFFICERS. The following reports were presented to the Ashburton Hospital Board, at its meeting this morning:—■ The chairman’s report stated that in order, that reports of the staff might be dealt with as a whole, he had arranged for the them to be grouped in future. Items requiring separate attention would be shown individually on the agenda paper. The following w r ere the reports:— Medical Superintent.—Thp following were the Hospital statistics for the month of May:—Patients remaining April 31, 40 males, 41 females—total 81; admitted May 1-31, 42, 62—104 ; total treated, 82, 103—185; discharged May 1-31, 45, 49—94; died May 1-31, 1, I—2; remaining May 31, 36, 53 89. X-Ray examinations had totalled 78, ultra-violet ray examinations 73, outpatients 93, outpatient treatments 348, chemistry and bacteriological examinations 52, operations during month 40, massage treatments 185, diathermy treatments 265. Matron. County Hospital.—During May three nurses developed scarlet fever. All were making satisfactory progress. She expressed thanks to those who had so kindly sent large bundles of books and crayons for the isolation children. • All had been anonymous gifts. Many gifts of flowers had been received, which had been most acceptable. Matron, Malvern.—During May nine patients were admitted, nine discharged and four remained.

Matron, Methven. —Eight patients were admitted, seven discharged and three remained.

Matron, Rakaia.—Three patients were discharged and none admitted. Secretary and Treasurer.—lnfectious diseases:—County Diphtheria: Tinwald 1, Methven 1. Scarlet fever: Allenton 2, Mitcham Road 1, Winchmore 1, Winslow 3, Elgin 2, Village Settlement 1, Flemington 2, Tinwald 7, Westerfield 1. Tuberculosis: Rakaia 1, Methven 1. Erysipelas: Fairton 1. Borough—Scarlet fever 15, septicaemia 1. Dealing with finance, he reported that the County Hospital costs at the present time would be above the average on account of (1) occupied beds being much higher than usual, (2) cost of extra nurses required owing to epidemic, • and (3) cost of scarlet fever anti-toxin, which is equal to 17s per person treated. Receipts were: Balance £1322 Bs, patients’ fees £530 0s lOd, levies £1169 18s 4d, donations £8 15s 4d, sundry sales, etc. £37 13s 4d; a total of £3068 15s lOd. Expenditure was: Maintenance £1569 6s 2d, administration £94 10s lOd, outdoor relief £SB 19s Id, indoor relief £7 16s, other Boards £219 IQs 6d, Waipiata levy £lB2 10s, capital expenditure £I9S 5s lOd, sundry payments £lOl 5s sd, balance £636 12s; a total of £3068 15s 10d. There was a credit balance of I £636 12s.

The Hospital Committee Chairman (Mi- W. G, Gallagher) reported .as follows:—Ambulance dock: A quotation for £l3 15s for the work of extending the roof of the verandah had been accepted. The work would have been held up had the matter not been dealt with at the last meeting of the Committee, hence the action which has been taken. Assistant Medical Superintendent: Dr. Russell Ritchie, Napier Hospital, has, subject to the approval of the Minister, been appointed to the position to date July 1. Dr. Mirams has now left and Dr. Eiwin, lately of the New Plymouth Hospital staff is acting as locum tenens. Salaries: After consideration, it was resolved that the previous resolution of the Committee should remain. The matter will, however, be discussed again prior to the next meeting of the Committee, as information bearing on the point is being obtained from other hospitals. Your Committee recommends that in view of the amount of work involved in the performance of his ambulance duties, Mr Jones be given his house rent free.