HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 258, 13 August 1934, Page 6

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

ACTIVITIES LAST MONTH. QUESTION OF BEEF SUPPLIES. REPORTS BY THE OFFICERS, The Ashburton Hospital Board met this morning when there were present Messrs W. G. Gallagher (chairman), G. S. Hardy, F. Frampton, W. H. Wilkinson, Raymond Oakley, C. A. Campion, W. Bryant and Dr. J. R. Wells. The chairman’s report read as follows : “Medical Superintendent.—Patients remaining June 30, 31 males, 35 females, total 66; patients admitted from July 1 to 31, 53, 48, 101; total treated, S 4, 83, 167. Patients discharged July 1 to 31, 39, 54, 93‘- patients died July 1 to 31, 2, —, 82; total 43, 29, 72. Outpatients 210, outpatients treatments 321, X-ray examinations 74, laboratory reports 106, massage treatments 307, diathermy treatments 227, plaster cases 4, Ultra Violet Ray treatments 22, operations for July 53. “Matron’s report—Nurses Cornish, Ken nett and Vinsen passed, the State final examination. Nurses Huclleston and Oradock are on annual leave. “Malvern Home report—There were 9 patients admitted, 8 discharged, and 6 remain. Ante-natal patients seen were 38. Nurse Money passed her maternity examination with honours, while Nurses Clark and Samuels also passed. Secretary and treasurer—lnfectious diseases: For the month of July are: Borough, nil; County, 2 scarlet fever, 1 tuberculosis. Laundry: During the a month 20,774 articles were laundered at a cost of 10.7 d per dozen. Finance: Receipts, balance June 10 £393 4s lid, patients’ fees £275 0s sd, levies maintenance £731 4s lid, susbidies £455, sundries £67 4s 7d, total £1921 14s lOd. Payments, maintenance hospitals £1179 13s 3d, outdoor relief £B4 2s 2d, other Boards £206 4s 9d, administration £76 5s sd, sundries £IOO 13s Bd, balance £274 15s 7d. The chairman-of Hospital Committee (Mr F. Frampton) reported as follows : “Friendly: Societies Association.— A request lias been received from the Association that a conference should be held between the Association’s Special Committee and the Board’s Committee to discuss the question of Xray fees. The Association lias been notified that the Board is agreeable, and it will be necessary to arrange for a suitable time for the meeting. “Infectious diseases car: Your Committee having been offered a suitable car, a recommendation was made to

the Director-General of Health that it

• should be purchased. The Minister v has, however, not approved of the deal, and correspondence in this direction wiir be placed before you. : “Rakaia Hospital: The alteration in the Rakaia Hospital to provide for a nursery has now been made, and the approved equipment has been purchased. “Hospital accounts: Various hospital accounts where the debtors concerned have ignored requests to arrange settlement have been referred to our solicitor for action.” Congratulations' were extended to members of the staff who have recently passed their examinations, special reference being made to Nurse Money’s

success. The Director-General of Health •wrote thanking the Board for the message of sympathy sent by it in connection with the death of Mr C. H. Beggs. The Ashburton Borough Council wrote in regard to the Board’s request for the placing of a piece of land for the growing of potatoes for relief purposes, and stating that areas suitable to the purpose would be investigated. The chairman stated that the Coun-

cil. had offered a section opposite the engine sheds, but inspection had revealed that it was not suitable. The Director-General wrote expressing appreciation of the Board’s efforts to relieve distress in the Ashburton

district, the letter following on explanation sent to the Department by the chairman.

The Director-General wrote commenting favourably upon the Board’s financial figures for tlie quarter. With regard to charges made upon Lodge patients for X-ray examinations the Ashburton Friendly Societies Association wrote asking for a conference with the Board.

It was agreed that the conference should be held on Wednesday evening, August 29. The Mid-Canterbury Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union wrote asking the Board to explain its action in having purchased Southland beef for distribution among distressed families, when supplies were available in the Ashburton district. Mr Bryant said li,is explanation was that the order for the meat was given locally and the relief committee did not know where the man got the meat. A reply to the letter, which had. been sent by the chairman, was read to the meeting. In the letter he said that ho did not recognise the right of the Union to ask for an explanation, and he did not think that 33,001bs of beet could have' been obtained locally, apart from the quality involved. Nevertheless, 'as lie had nothing to hide, he explained that the meat was obtained through a local dealer and was purchased with relief funds, and not with ratepayers’ money. , Mr Frampton said that the Union had taken its part in electing a Hospital Board and it should have shown some confidence in the membeis. It was stated that the trouble was between two dealers. The chairman’s reply was approved.