TAURANGA HOSPITAL BOARD AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LVII, Issue 9984, 24 January 1929, Page 3

TAURANGA HOSPITAL BOARD AFFAIRS

SUCCESS OF FARMING {OPERATIONS IMPROVEMENTS AT TE PUKE. The "monthly meeting of the Tanranga Hospital Board was held in the Board’s Room at the Tauranga Hospital yesterday. Present: Messrs X Lochhead (Chairman). V. J. Scan, tlebury, J. Hume, J. A. MiGhic. R. King and D. Grant. Season’s Greetings. The Hen. A. J. Stallworthy, Min. ister of Health, telegraphed on December 22. as follows: ‘'Please convey to the members of your Board and your hospital staff, cordial greetings and good wishes for health and happiness in the New Year.” The Secretary had replied, reciprocating the Minister’s wishes. Minister to \ isit District. Hon. A. J. Stallworthy. in a letter thanking the Board for its congratulations on his elevation to Cabinet rank, added : “I have also to thank your Board for its kind invitation to me to visit the Tauranga hospital district, and desire to say that it will give me much pleasure to do 90 at some future time.” Katikati. District Nurse Fund. Mrs M. M. Johnston, Katikati, forwarded payment of £lB 11/4 towards the annual guarantee by the KatTkati settlers to the district nurse fund. The Secretary of the Board had replied, thanking Mrs Johnston for the payment. Queen Mary Hospital: The Medical Officer of Health, Auckland, wrote giving particulars in regard to number of vacant bods at Queen Mary Hospital,' Hanmer Springs. Increased Liability. Correspondence was read relative to a 'boy in the Board’s district who was sent recently to a special school at the instance of the Child Welfare Branch of the Education Department. A relative undertook to contribute 0/- per week towards the boy’s maintenance and the Board has had to pay 5/- per week. The relative died recently. The Secretary of the Board, in a letter to the Minister of Health, stated: “It is possible my Board may now be called on to pay an increased contribution, and it would appear that my Board has no voice in the matter at all At the present juncture, when there is such an outcry all over the Dominion about the increasing burden of hospital expenses, my Board wishes to protest against the system which empowers the Education Department to place such additional liabilities on Hospital Boards.”

Tauranga Matron's Report. Miss A. I. Murray, Matron of the Tauranga Hospital, submitted report for the month of December, dealing with changes on the staff. Tho Matron stated: I wish to thank: Mr Willoock and those who gave donations to his bo* and the bos 1 had placed on a table in tho entrance hall of the hospital, which enabled me to give the patients a_n\ost enjoyable Christmas Day. Mr Liggett and choir, for giving a rendering of carols on December 33. The Salvation Army Ruud, lor music on the afternoon of the 3oth. Mr Wills and Company, for the substantial sum to the patients’ Christmas Cheer fund. Gifts. —Christinas Cakes, Miss 'Jftut and Messrs R. Faulkner and Harnett ; Home-made Sweets, Salvation Army per Mrs Moore; Plums, two oases, Mr Camman; Lemons, Mrs Fergus Boyd and Mr Davidson; Csfbbages, Mr Carmichael; Vegetables, Mr Tremaine; Lemonade, Mr T. H. Hall; Flowers, Mrs Moor© and the ladies who assisted, Messrs Sladden and Cazalet, and Holy Trinity Sunday School; Old Linen, Mesdames Snelgrove, McKenzie and Christian; Magazines, Mr Clench; Presents for Patients, St. John’s Ambulance per Mrs Baigent. Mr Scantlebury, on behalf of the committee, recommended that alterations be made to certain doors leading to the kitchen at the Tauranga Hospital. The cost was estimated at £l2 10/. Mr King moved—That the work be carried out as recommended by Mr Scantlebury.—Seconded by Mr Grant and carried. Te Puke Maternity Hospital. Miss Chappell, Matron of the To Puke Maternity Hospital, forwarded report for the month of December. Eighteen patients were admitted, and fifteen were discharged. Seven patients remained in hospital at the end of the month. The fees collected amounted to £32 *>/. Katikati Nurse. Mrs Hatch, district nurse at Katikati, forwarded epitome of work done and itinerary for the month of December. Tho fees collected amounted to £o 11.I 1 . Tauranga District Nurse. Miss Whittaker, district health nurse, Tauranga, forwarded report for the mouth of December. Superintendent's Report. Dr J. B. Mac Diarmid, medical superintendent of the Tauranga Hospital, presented tho following report: , During December wc admitted 21 patients, discharged 33 and had 24. remaining at tho end of tho month. The daily average was 37. There was otic death from haemorrhage of gastric ulcer. Three notifiable diseases were admitted —two diphtheria and one typhoid. Mr Grant moved —That the report be received and approved.— Seconded hy Mr Scantlebury and carried.

Te Puke Committee’s Repoit. Mr King, on behalf of the Te Puke Committee, reported that a new electric range would be installed at the Te Puke Maternity Hospital. The tender of Mr J. G. -Saunders had been accepted for improvements at the hospital, and that of Mr Watson for certain plumbing work. A gnller had been 'bought and a new basin was required. The purchase of a new basin was authorised. Mr King stated that a bulk store and also a porch on the western side of the hospital, were necessary. The funds were available. Mr King said it would be an advantage if the accommodation for the night nurse were away from the main building. The questions of bulk store, porch, and separate accommodation for the night nurse were referred to the Te Puke Committee and the Secretary to report upon. Secretary’s Report. The Secretary (Mr P. Lumley) submitted the following report; Drying Room. —The Miro stoves in the drying room and tho stove pipes are very far through and will re r quire to be renewed before next winter. A single stove, of increased power, might be found more useiul than two small ones as at present, and cast iron pipes might with advantage Ire used. Farm. —There is so much grass this year that we could easily feed two more cows.

Te Puke Maternity Hospital.—l visited Te Puke on the 19th inst. Miss Chappell will require some Imen, etc., at tho beginning of tbc new Unancial year, to replace some that is worn out. As Miss Murray is asking permission to indent some linen, the material required for le Puke might perhaps b© got at ttie same time. The Secretary submitted a list of certain requirements for the Tauranga and To Puke Hospitals. Mr King moved —That the matter bo left in the bands of the Chairman, Matrons and Secretary, with power to act. —Seconded ’by Mr Grant and carried. The question regarding stoves in the drying room was referred to the Chairman and Secretary. Mr King moved —That the matter of buying more cows be referred to the Chairman and Secretary.—Seconded hy Mr Grant and carried. Farming Operations. Mr Scantlebury commented on the success which had attended the 1 arming venture of the Board. Considerable improvements had been effected to the land. The balance sheet showed a profit and be estimated the total profit for the past nine months at £BO or £OO. Several members expressed satisfaction at the success which had attended the farm operations, which ensured excellent supplies of milk, cream, vegetables, eggs, and poultry of the best quality for the hospital. Accounts. The accounts as scheduled, "ere passed for payment. In Committee. The Board considered various matters in committee, including the admission of patients to institutions outside the Board’s district, accounts due to the Board, etc.