HOSPITAL FINANCE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 13738, 23 April 1945, Page 2

HOSPITAL FINANCE

ESTIMATES ARE CONSIDERED

Increase of £862 on Last Year

Monthly Meeting of Board

The monthly meeting of the Tanrauga. Hospital Board was held on Thursday, when the estimates for the year ending March 31, 19-1 G were considered.

The total amount involved is £11,553/5/-, made up of £9316 17/- for maintenance and, £2236/8/capital expenditure. This is an increase of £8 6 2/10/" on last year’s total.

The estimates were approved. There were present at the meeting Mr H. J. Clarke (chairman). Miss M. W. Stewart, Messrs. J. T. Eccleton, P. T. Ream, G. Hynds, J. H. Evans and L. R. Wilkinson. Leave of absence was granted to Miss R. H. Faulkner and Mr J. Mitchell.

The Matron, Katikati Maternity Hospital (Miss McDonnell), reported that in March admissions numbered 10, discharged 13, patients remaining number three. Seven out-patients were treated. The Matron of the Tauranga maternity annexe (Miss H. Compton), reported that there were 15 admissions, 16 discharged and" live remaining. An official visiting committee consisting of Mrs Faulkner, Miss Stewart, Messrs. Clarke and Plynes was set up. The dates of visits will be arranged by the committee. ' In her report the Matron, Miss Jenkins, desired to thank the following for gifts and services to the hospital during the month; Mrs Woods (hot cross buns); Mrs Every and Mrs Black (Katikati) and Major Scantlebury (magazines), Salvation Army weekly supply of flowers and entertainment of the •patients by the band on Sunday, April 8, which was highly appreciated by the staff as well as patients. Gifts of produce and fruit from Holy Trinity and Gate Pa Church of England were also received. Mrs Jenkins. stated that the patients were grateful for the extended library, service. Shortage of Accommodation The shortage of living accommodaiton again came up for discussion and it was finally decided that the secretary be authorised to take necessary steps to meet the situation.

Miss A. H. Lenehan, Matron of the Te Puke Hospital, waited on the hoard in connection with matters requiring attention at Te Puke. The accommodation for babies in the nursery, said Miss Lenehan, was totally inadequate for the purpose, and she drew attention to the condition of such’ accommodation as was provided. She recognised that the board had done all that was in its power to do, but the additions that had been made did not alter the real condition of the original building which was old and could not be made suitable for its purpose. The capacity was not sufficient to meet demands and when premature cases have to be taken, the conditions were worse. In such circumstances the work attending the nursery was well nigh impossible. Crowding in the nursery brought attendant evils and should be avoided. Alterations already authorised by the board had not yet been carried out. A lot had been spent in the past eight years, but it was in patching only. The secretary (Mr P. Lumley): Miss Lambie, the inspector, is aware that application is before the Loans Board. The chairman: Red tape is hold-ing-up the work. In reply to Miss Stewart the chairman said the plans have been approved and the matter was before the Loans Board. Miss Lenehan: I don’t feel like taking the responsibility. Mr Wilkinson; Even ; if the Loans Board approves, the work can’t be started till the money is raised. The chairman said he could assure Miss Lenehan that the Hospital Board had done all possible to bring about the desired improvement. The secretary explained that the Local Body Loans Board has a great volume of work to deal with. Minister to be Approached 'On the suggestion of the chairman, it was decided to write direct to the Minister of Health. Mr Ream moved that this be done and that a graphic description of the conditions prevailing be also forwarded. This was agreed to. The matter of delay in completing necessary authorised work came up for further discussion, when the Board’s architect (Mr C. H. Porter) presented his report. Small jobs, said Mr Porter, could be carried out while workmen were still on the premises if he were authorised to have them done. But he could not do so without some authority. For this reason he asked that he be given authority to have necessary work completed up to a limit of £25 and that report covering such work and its urgency be made to the next monthly meeting of the board. This was agreed to. The hold-up of the laundry block and boiler house was the subject of a report already forwarded to the Health Department. The delay in Ibis case was due to a difference of opinion between a Health Depart-

■ : ~~Ttbe con sul, ! i J ment officer and r pßt^ h gineer of the *>■£ »J s : tc. Owing i° . .... to . case it was not with the preparation ; , tor (be vegetable ««