HOSPITAL BOARD.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12203, 25 May 1905, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARD.

CASUAL WARD TO BE ABOLISHED. The Hospital Board met yesterday. Present—Messrs G. Payling (chairman), F. Horrell, J. Dobson, J. Wolfe, W. McMillan, J. Hcdfield, S. Harris, W. Dunlop, E. Feldwick, and G. Scott. Letters were read_ which had been received from the various shipping companies trading to Lyttelton in regard to the maintenance of the Casual Ward at tJhe Port. The New Zealand Shipping Company and Messrs Dalgety and Co. declined to contribute. Mr Horrell moved—"That the Casual Ward in Lytttelton be dispensed with, and three months' notice be given to the caretaker." Mr Harris seconded tho motion. Mr Hadfield opposed the motion. He regretted that the shipping companies had taken the view they had, but he thought that even if. the shipping companies did not contribute, the Board should continue to give the small amount they had done towards the upkeep of the Casualty Ward. Mr Dunlop said that the shipping companies had their own doctors for eimple cases; those oasos which were more serious would, of course, go through to tho hospital, whero the companies paid the fees in case of their own men. Tho motion was then put and carried. The House Committee reported that copies of tho reports bearing on the nursing system had been forwarded to members. The committee proposed that the whole question bo dealt with at a special meeting of the Board. Dr. Bell, one of the physicians on the hon. visiting .staff, had resigned in view of his proceeding to Europe to study special subjects. Dr. Sandstein had offered his services to fill the position for the remainder of the term, ajid the committee recommended tho offer for acceptance. Tho second engineer had resigned, and had taken up another position. Mr H. Tillman, a most suitable man to fill the vacancy, holding a first-clase certificate and other credentials, was recommended for appointment. A special meeting of tho Board was fixed for 2 p.m. on Wednesday next. With reference to the vacancy on the engineering staff, Mr Hadfield moved —"That the clause be referred back to the committee, and that applications be invited for the position." There was no seconder to tho amendment, and the motion was carried, Mr Hadfield dissenting. The house surgeon reported that during April 110 patients were admitted to tho hospital, 112 were discharged, 13 died. Ninety-five operations were performed under anaesthetics, and there wero 610 attendances fn the out-patient department. The State examinations for nurses had lately been held. The results showed that Nurse Martin, trained in the Christchurch Hospital, came out equal first (one of three), and Nurse Scott, of the Christchurch Hospital, next. Nurses Anderson and Warnock. of tho Christchurch Hospital, also passed their final, and Nurses Aiken. Joyce, and Davies passed their preliminary. The acting-matron recommended Nurso Scott to a vacancy on the permanent staff, and Probationers Hunter, Stnbbs, and Newman to the nursing staff, having completed tfieir three months' trial. The reports were received. Accounts to the amount of £550 16s 9d were passed for payment.