HOSPITAL BOARD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 127, 11 March 1935, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD

POSITION OF FINANCES. IN A SATISFACTORY STATE. NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE. The Ashburton Hospital Board met this morning, when there were present Messrs W. G. Gallagher (chairman), G. S. Hardy, F. Frampton, W. Bryant, W. H. Wilkinson, C. A, Campion and Raymond Oakley. The chairman’s report was as follows : _ ‘ ‘Medical Superintendent. —Patients remaining January 31, 1935, 41 males, 30 females, total 71; admitted in February 55, 58, 113; totals, 96, 88, 159; patients discharged in February 52, 51, 103; died 4, —, 4; totals, 40, 37, 77. Number of outpatients 199, outpatients’ treatments 275, X-ray examinations 57, laboratory reports 66, massage treatments 220, diathermy treatments 53, Ultra Violet Ray treatments 32, operations performed in February 66. “Malvern Home Report.—There were six patients admitted, nine discharged, and two remain for the. month of February. Twenty-two ante-natal patients were seen for the month. “Matron’s Report.—Sister Dearsley left for special laboratory training on March 6. Nurse Wilson is on annual leave. “Engineer’s Report.—The new steam radiator service in the outpatients’ department proved of great benefit during the recent cold snap, and was much appreciated Shy both patients and staff. There were 20,311 pieces laundered during February. The wall boxes covering the switch boards in different parts of the hospital have been placed in position, and are a great improvement. The Financial Statement. “Secretary and treasurer’s Report. — Infectious diseases: The following were the notifications for February: Borough, three cases of tuberculosis; County, one case of diphtheria at llakaia. Laundry: During the month 20,311 pieces were laundered at a cost of 8d per dozen. Finance: The following is a statement of receipts and payment for February : —Receipts: Balance January 1, 1935 £173 8s 2d, patients’ fees £263 6s, levies (maintenance) £1265 11s lOd, sundries £44 16s 8d; total, £1747 2s Bd. Payments: Maintenance hospitals £987 10s 6d, outdoor relief £57 17s 4d, Waipiata capital levy £49, other boards £2OB 14s, administration £97 6s 9d, sundries £35 8s 9d, credit balance £31.1 5s 4d; total, £1747 2s Bd.”

The chairman stated that the financial position as disclosed was very satisfactory. The position at the end of the year would be entirely satisfactory, lie considered.

The report of the chairman of the Hospital Committee (Mr F. Frampton) was as follows:

“Milk Contract. Arrangements have been made with the Department of Agriculture for a test of all cows to he made prior to the date on which the new contract is taken up.

“Hospital Bicycle—A suitable machine has been purchased to replace the one recently stolen. Medical Superintendent’s Office and House.—The medical superintendent’s office has been repainted and papered, and suitable furnishings obtained. A. certain amount of renovation work has also been carried out at the house.

“Hospital Telephone Service In order to give a. more adequate service arrangements have been made for the house surgeons’ rooms to be connected up each night to the exchange. A hospital extension has also been authorised, which will give a direct connection from Ward 1 to the house surgeons’ quarters. These arrangements are in accordance with the recommendations of the medical superintendent, and will be of benefit all round.

“Fees Investigation. Committee. — This committee has already had one meeting, but it will require another before all accounts can be gone through.” The reports were adopted. Hospital Board’s Conference Report. Reporting on the Hospital Boards’ Association conference at Napier, the chairman said it was the best lie had, attended since he had been associated with hospital work. Mr Gallagher reviewed comprehensively the addresses given by medical practitioners on important matters and also outlined the maiii questions considered. Following an address by Dr. T. M. Gray (Direc-tor-General of Mental Hospitals) on the sterilisation of the mentally unfit, the conference decided to take steps with a .view to furthering public opinion in favour of voluntary sterilisation of certain types of mental defectives. The address had changed the opinions of many delegates, said Air Gallagher. In connection with the proposal to institute a scheme of national health insurance, the Government was urged to introduce legislation giving effect to tho Association’s views. Dr. H. M. Watt (Director-General of; Health) gave a paper on this question. A national scheme would cost about £1,800,000 to introduce and would also have a great bearing on tho friendly societies’ agreement. In view of both these facts, the matter needed more consideration and further information would have to be gathered. The executive of the Association would investigate the standardisation of hospital equipment and drugs, and this would result in considerable savings. It was also decided that the Government should be urged to allow an old-age pension being granted after three years had elapsed following a police conviction, this being brought forward by Ashburton. Mr Gallagher went on to outline the address by Dr. j ,s Elliott (president of the New Zealand branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign), who characterised cancer as by far the greatest medical problem of the present day, the deathrate now reaching 500 a year in New Zealand. ’The doctor submitted many important recommendations. The secretary of the Board (Air A. Prentice) also submitted: a report, and both be and the chairman were heartily thanked.

On the recommendation of the Aledi-

cal Superintendent (Dr. A. J. Mason), it was decided to place £7OO on the estimates for the coming year lor the replacement of the X-ray plant at the hospital. The plant, which is 12 years old, was reported to be obsolete, and an expenditure of £7OO would secure a plant which could be added to and the total cost of up-to-date facilities would be £I2OO.