HOSPITAL BOARD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 153, 10 April 1933, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD

ACTIVITIES LAST MONTH. OFFICERS PRESENT STATISTICS. PATIENTS AT WAIPIATA. The Ashburton Hospital Board met this morning, when there were present Messrs W. G. Gallagher (chairman), C. A. Campion, F. Frampton, W. Bryant, W. H. Wilkinson, Raymond Oakley, and G. S. Hardy. The chairman stated that consequent on the proposal to lease the Methven and Rakaia Homes, the Department had suggested an alteration in the patients' fees for Malvern Home, making the amount £4 4s a week, instead of £3 3s, as at present. Tne report of the Hospital Committee was as follows: ''Since the last meeting authority was given for the admission of another female patient to Waipiata Sanatorium. This made the number of our patients 22 at the end of March, with a waiting list of 4. The result of Dr. Jvidd's visit will be reported at the Board meeting. "Irregularity in Charitable Relief Application.—Consequent on inquiries which were made concerning an application for relief disclosing the fact that the applicant had withheld information of an essential nature, your Committee has made a formal demand for refund of relief granted, failing which legal action will be authorised. "Reciprocity with Other Boards.— Various letters from other Boards have been received asking if we will enter into reciprocal agreements regarding patients. Your Committee recommends that no action be taken in this matter. "Firewood Supply.—-The County Council has advisea that it is willing •to reserve our firewood requirements. ,At the present time we are burning wood in the hospital boilers, except when the wind is from the south or north-west. Relief Supplies.—Consequent on recipients of relief being able to purchase at "cash over the counter" prices from any storekeeper in lieu of booked rates and a discount to the Board, all orders have been reduced by 10 per cent., which will be offset by the increased purchasing power of the orders. "Hospital staff.—The filling of the vacancy on the staff consequent on Sister Varcoe's resignation has been left in the Matron's hands, with power to act." Waipiata Sanitorium. In a special report on Waipiata Sanatorium, Mr Bryant said:— "After fully considering the position for the new year, the committee considers that providing not less than 110 beds per day are occupied, the maintenance charges can be reduced to 5s per day. Although this is a very considerable reduction 1 , it is felt that it will meet the maintenance cost. "In this connection it is a matter of satisfaction for note how the committee has been able to reduce the daily charges for maintenance since the sanatorium was established and in this, the final year of the term of the Associated Boards' Agreement to undertake the full maintenance and treatment of patients besides all working expenses at a rate of 5s per day per patient. "Sor far as capital expenditure is concerned, the Board is aware of the approximate levy for X-ray plant, etc., which will be made this year. Our actual proportion of the levy will be £195 which is our share of a total capital expenditure of £1215 Bs. It is pointed out, however, that Is a day on 18 patients amounts to £327 10s which saving more than offsets the capital levy. "The present year will terminate the joint agreement of the Associated Boards. Since 1923, which was the date of the commencement of the sanatorium, 900 patients from the different districts have received or are receiving sanatorium treatment. "Of these patients over 80 per cent, have been discharged with disease arrested, or quiescent, resulting in the various people being able to resume their usual duties. When it is remembered what a. heavy toll of valuable lives was made in days gone by by tuberculosis, the figures given indicate what a boon the sanatorium has been to those districts affected. Although it is a matter for regret that we have at the present time a record number of patients at Waipiata—22— still it is satisfactory that we have such an excellent institution, entirely free of debt, for the treatment of sufferers." Mr Bryant stated that since the report was made out, he had-been informed that a large amount of payment had been, omitted from the balance sheet by the committee secretary, and the new" fee would probably be 5s Od a day. The Chairman's Report.

The Chairman's report read as follows : ' 'Medical Superintendent.—Hospital statistics for the month: Patients remaining February 28, 1933, 3G males, 32 females, total 68; admitted March 1 to 31, 1933, 48, 40, 88; total treated 84, 72, 156; dicharged from March Ito 31, 1933, 47, 37, 84; died 3 males, total 3; remaining March 31, 1933, 34, 35, 69. Outpatients 221, outpatients' treatments 398, X-ray examinations 79, laboratory examinations 107, massage treatments 266, diathermy 127, plaster cases 4. Infectious and contagious diseases admitted 2. During the month 63 operations were performed. "Matron's Report:—Sister Varcoe left for annual leave on March 25. She has resigned from the staff. Nurses Bilbrough and Vinson are absent on holiday; also Nurse Lister. "Malvern ' Home report:—During March 13 patients were admitted, 13 discharged, and 4 remain. Thirty-six ante-natal patients were seen. "Methven Home—Five patients were admitted, four were discharged, and three remain. "Rakaia Home—Three patients were

admitted, three were discharged, and one remains. The Director-General of Health wrote that on reconsideration he had agreed to the erection of a hut on the Ashburton river bed for the use of itinerant men.