HOSPITAL BOARD.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9321, 23 January 1896, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD.

The Hospital Board met at 2 p.m. yesterday. Present—Messra R. D. Thomas (Chairman), R. H. Wood, J. Hamilton, G. Wallace, S. R. Webb, J. Q. Murray, J. A. Caygiii, R. Westeura, W. Dualop, H. W. Peryinau, Drs. Stewait and Hunt. An apology was received for the abseuco of Mr U. M. Gray. Reference was made by several of the members to the recent us3aulfc on their Chairman, and they expressed regret that such an occurrence should have taken place. Mr S. R. Webb's motion to disassociate the office of Steward from that of the Secretary and Treasurer, was postponed for a inontn. 1). , . Stewart withdrew his notico to appoint Dr. Diamond assistant ophthalmic surgeon. The House Committee reported as under :—" 1. At a meeting of the Board ou t-no 27th November, a letter -was read from Mr T. S. Wesion, claiming damages for alleged non-treatment of a patient iv February last. The Board resolved to request I the Resident Medical Officer to report lully on the matter. (The report was read.) 2. At that, meeting, also, a letter was read from hie Lordship Bishop Grimes com. plaining of religious services being held ou Sundays in the Hospital wards. The matter has been considered by your Committee, aud a circular letter has been forwarded to the heads of various religious denomiuations, inviting them to arrange for services to be held in the Board-room. The ouly reply received to thi3 date is from BUhop Grini6s. 3. The Commissioner of Police having intimated that tho police van could not bo further used to convey patients arriving by train seeking admission to the Hospital, arrangements are boing made whereby the Ambulance Association horse litter might bo utilised in special cases. 4. The matter of the disposal of the pigs haa been atteuded to, and arrangements nave been made for the removal of the waste. 5. Strong representation having been made that there is too much visiting of patients' friends carried on, not only on the days allowed by the by-laws, but on the intervening days, the Committee recommends that only two visitors at a time should be allowed to each patient instead of three, and strictly limited to the three days appointed, which is one day in excess of other hospitals, aud that in order to prevent disappointment visitors from the country bo notified through the daily papers accordingly. Enquiries can always be made at the entrance gates regarding patients whose condition is critical. 6. Dr. JFonwick having resigned the position of Aseiataub Resident Medical Officer, your Committee invited applications for a successor. Dr. R. A. Fox, a gentleman with high qualifications, applied, and is now filling the position. Your Committee recommends his appointment permanently. 7. Dr. Boiger, who is leaving Akaroa, has resiened hie position as Surgeon to that Hospital. Dr. Laing has applied for the position, which your Committee recommends for acceptance. 8. Tenders for the erection of the Hyman Marks Ward have been received aud opened. It was found that they were so greatly in excess of the original estimate, and also of the present means available that your Committee requests farther time before reporting as to the advisability of accepting any tender, and in the meantime it will consider ways and means for increasing the amount now available. The cheques accompanying tenders to be returned, with the exception of those of the three lowest ten- ; derers. 9. An , account has been received from the Auckland Hospital Board claiming £21 expenses of one Cochrane, inmate of that institution, late {resident of this district. 10. This Board has obtained judgment against the Grey Hospital Board for maintenance fees of Mrs Brimble. 11. During December 107 patients were admitted, 100 discharged, 8 died, leaving 83 remiiniug in the Hospital."

The receipts for December were:— Counties —Seiwyn £137 13s 4d, Amuri£ls, Akaroa £23 15s 7d, Kaikoura £12 12s 8d ; boroughs—Chriatchuroh £132 5a 4d, Lyttelton £49 10«, Linwood £9 Os 9d ; Road Boards—Eyreton £24 11s 6d, Ashley £18 13 i 6d; patients '"es £26 2a 9i, donations £37 2s. Total, i486 7e 6d. The expenditure was £825 13s 4d as per details attached. The receipts for the current month from local bodies have been :—Counties—Seiwyn £137 13a 4d, Akaroa £2515 a 7d,Amuri £15. Boroughe—St. Albana £40, Woolaton £44 123, Linwood £9 03 3d, Kaiapoi £9 15a 9d, Sydenham £50. Respecting clause 1, Mr Ddnlop moved—"That the matter be referred to the House Committee, with whom Dr. Stewart be associated, to inquire into and report." Dr. Stewart seconded the motion, and said that the case required looking into. Dr. Hunt agreed with tnia, and added that ib was in the interests oi the iratepayers that; the Board should see thai justice was done. Mr Westsnra was opposed to any inquiry unless all parties concerned could be present. Mr Wood agreed with the lost speaker. Mr Webb said the question appeared to be whether the officers connected with the institution had been carrying out their duties properly. The motion was carried unanimously. Concernine clause 2, Bishop Grimes wrote that bis objections would be entirely removed if the services were held in the

Board room and not in the wards, and there would be no necessity for him to bo present at the suggested oonferouos. Dr. Stkwaut moved, and Mr WalUob I seconded — "That ponding replies from I other denominations and result of proposed conferonoo, the religious services in the wards be discontinued, and carried Oα in the Board or some other suitable room." Mr WESTBxnA could not support the i motion, and pointed out that no denomtnv tioa but the Church of England had taken this matter up. As the eervice had been held for many years it would bo a pity to deprive many from boing able to attend if they desired to. Mr Wood disagreed with the motion, as tho simple service was a great consolation to many iv the wards. The Chairman pointed out that the I Church of England had for many yeare set a sum apart in support of a Chaplain for tho Hospital. Mr Dunlop moved us an amendment— " That the action of tho Committee be approved." He saw no harm likely to resuit from the matter remaining as it wae until aftor the conference. Mr Pervman suggested the wisdom of the motion being withdrawn and seconded' the amendment. Mr Webb would support the motion until the conference was held. Tho amendment was carried on a division. The Chairman stated that clause 5 waa on the recommendation of the Matron aud Medical Officer as well us tho House Committee. Respecting olause 6, Dr. Fox was ap« pointed subject to ono month's notice on either side, and Dr. Laing was appointed to the Akaroa Hospital on similar terms. Mr Dunlop eaid, respecting clause 8, that atteutiou had been oalled to the un* necessary expenditure in adyortieiug for, the tenders. Concerning clause 9, the account of the Auckland Hospital was passed for payment. The report of the Committee was adoptod as amended. A special vote of thanks was accorded to the Chinamen who subscribed the £32 odd to the Hospital. Dr. Stewart suggested that for the assistance of members the Secretary should prepare an agenda paper for oach meeting. He gave notico of tho following motions :— "That the decision come to at the firtt meeting of the Board, held on the 4th dhy of December, 1895, 'that seven members of the Board constitute the House Committeo, , be rescinded, and the following- substituted, viz.:—• That all members of the Board be members of the House Committee." "Th&ti two members of the Board bo appointed Hospital visitors far each month, aud that the medical members of the Board bo ono of the visitors, taking the duty alternate months ; monthly reports to be made to the Board." «' That Miss Maude report to the Board at its next meeting, giving the J name and age of hH nurses who are eligible J for night work, the number of weeks they .. are on suoh duty and number of ward; in short, to make out a roster, giving the names of nurses and duration of night duty; and that a list of names be placed in some J prominent position in the Hospital or Nursing Home, where the nuraea can aw their turn for night, duty; Mil* Maude to make monthly reports to the Board on this matter, »nd &U tnab concerns the nursing staff, such aa health, fitness for work, and any general informs:, tion that should come before the Board." " 1. That the house doctor make monthly reports to the Board of all admissions, die* missals, and deaths during the month: 2. The number of out-patients ; the number recommended by doctors ; 3. The number of patients who are in the hospital over two months, their disease, and the reason or reasons for their prolonged stay," , The Board shortly afterwards adjourned