TAURANGA HOSPITAL BOARD’S MEETING

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 10358, 22 April 1930, Page 3

TAURANGA HOSPITAL BOARD’S MEETING

Proposal to Sell Cabinet Gramophone. ' PORTABLE ONE WANTED. A meeting of the Tauranga Hospital Board was held in the Board's •Room at the Tauranga Hospital on Wednesday last. Present: Mr T, Lochhead (Chairman), Mrs G. B. Burton. Messrs J. Hume, J. A. McGhie, Colin McNaughton, B. C. Robbins, A. B. Morton and H. Cuff. Bank Overdraft. The Director-General of Health notified that, the Minister of Hea''h has approved of the Board borrowing h. v w;,y °f hank overdraft ar amount not exceeding £IOOO until June 30. 1030. Obstetrical Society. Mrs D. Crowley, Hon. Secretary of the Tauranga Branch of the Obstetrical Society, wrote soliciting support towards the Tauranga contribution of £SO. Mr Kobbins said the campaign w;ts closed and the local contribution hud been raised. The letter was received. Subsidy on Levies. The Director-General of Health acknowledged receipt of return in respect to subsidy on levies, showing that all subsidy has been received. Appointment of Anaesthetist. The Director-General of Health ■wrote intimating that the Minister has signified his approval to the appointment of l)r Stuart as anaesthetist at the Tauranga Hospital at a salary of .£2OO per annum. Hospital Boards' Association. The Secretary of the Hospital Boards' Association forward account for £5, membership subscription for the current year.—Passed for payment. The Secretary of the Hospital Boards' Association forwarded copy of the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting held on March 4 and 5; also circulars in reference to various matters. Audited Accounts. The Director-General of Health wrote asking for a copy of the Board's audited accounts. —Two copies bad been forwarded by the Secretary. Insurance Question. The Deputy General Manager of the State Fire and Accident Insurance Office, Wellington, in a question re"l have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of March 3, and, in regarding employers' liability, stated: ply, to advise you that the Department agrees not to raise the principle of law that the relationship of master and servant does not subsist as between your Board and its pro- , fesslonal staff, medical and nursing, as a defence to any claim for compensation made under the Workers' Compensation Act by any member of the Board's said professional staff in respect of any accident for which compensation would be payable under the Workers' Compensation Act were it not for the fact that'the position of master and servant did not subsist as between your Board a;ui the person claiming compensation at the time of the accident. I would mention that the Department's waiver of the defence mentioned is equivalent to its agreeing to regard all members of the Board's professional staff whose remuneration does not exceed £4OO per annum and for whom cover is arranged as workers. It should be noted, however, that professional staff whose remuneration * exceeds £4OO per annum ■would not be covered as workers, for they are debarred from receiving compensation by reason of the fact that the Act definition of worker does not extend to include non-manuals whose remuneration exceeds £4OO per an- . num. Nonmanuals in receipt of over £4OO per annum can be covered in respect of your Board's liability to pay damages under the Deaths by Accidents Compensation Act and at common law on payment of half the premium payable for workers compensation cover." The Secretary explained that he was taking steps to comply with the * provisions as indicated in the letter. Tnuraiigii Hospital. Dr L. Randell, Medical Superintendent of the Tauranga Hospital, reported that for the month of March thirty-six patients were admitted, and thirty-six discharged. There were two cases of diphtheria. The daily average was 24.8. and there were no deaths. . Miss A. I. Murray, Matron of tbe Tauranga Hospital, submitted report for the past month, in which stafr matters were dealt with. The matron added: "I wish to thank the following for gifts: Fruit and Vegetables, Holy Trinity Harvest Festival and Mrs Burton; Apptes, Mrs Pillans and Mrs J. Jordan; Onions, Mr Bartlett; Magazines, Mrs J. Jordan; Old Linen, Mrs Macara; Kace Tickets for Staff, the Jockey Club; Plants, Miss Kerr; Fruit and Vegetables, St. George's Harvest Fes- ! ~ tival, Gate Pa. I Miss Murray stated: "At present I have no staff nurse for night duty, three having left in the last three months, owing to have to share a room with a probationer, which throws the responsibility on me at night. Would it be permissable to „sell the cabinet gramophone and to secure a portable one and the bal- • ance of money spent on records. The former requires two men to move it from ward to ward. Mr McNaughton moved—That the question of selling the gramophone be referred to the Visiting Committee to report upon.—Seconded by Mr Hume and carried. To Tuko Maternity Hospital. Miss E/Chappell, Matron of the Te Puke Maternitv Hospital, forwarded report for the month of March. Thirteen patients were admitted and twelve discharged; Ave remained in hospital at the end of the month. Miss Chappell wroe asking if she , could take her annual leave as from May 1. Mr cuff moved—That Miss OhapPell's request be granted.—Seconded by Mr McGhie and carried. KutikttU Nurse.

- Mrs Hatch, District Nurse at Katiaati, forwarded report for the month of March. This stated that fifty-one Patients were attended. The fees collected amounted to £lO/17/6. Mrs Hatch stated she would like to take her annual leave from May 1 to 31. The Secretary reported that Sister Morton, who had been previously at Katikati, was willing to do relieving outy during the absence of Mrs Hatch. The mutter of making the necessary arrangements was left in the hands of the Secretary. Visiting Committee.

Mr Robbins, for the Visiting Comhuttee, reported that they had made a visit of inspection. They recommended: That an area near the garden bo cleared and lemon trees plantc«: also, that a fence along the pathway be moved to the other side. The

nurses at the home asked that fuel be provided for the grates, and the committee recommended that the request be granted. ',,... It was reported that a theft of money had been committed at the nurses' home. Mr Lumley stated he was arranging for locks to be placed on each room at the nurses' home. Mr McNaughton moved —That the recommendations of the Visiting Committee be adopted. Mr McGhie seconded. It was stated that the electric radiators in the nurses* home had cost £4 each. The motion was carried. Tnuranpi District Nurse. Miss B. C. Whittaker. District Nurse, Taurauga, forwarded epitome of work done and itinerary for the month of March. This stated that 106 visits were made. Writ ins Off of Foes. It was decided to hold meetings of the Tauranga and Te Puke Committees for the writing off of fees. Purchase of Goods. The question of buying goods in wholesale quantities for the Te Puke Maternity Hospital was referred to the Te Puke Committee. Accounts. The accounts as scheduled were passed for payment. In Committee. The Board considered various matters in committee, including accounts due to the Board; admission of patients to institutions outside the Board's district; and applications for financial .assistance.