HOSPITAL BOARD.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18549, 26 November 1925, Page 13

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly mrofinp: of flic North Canterbury Hospital Board was hold yesterday morning. Present: Mr H. .T. Otley (chairman). Mrs AV. <7. Roberts. Mrs J. McCnmbs, Mrs 11. K - Herbert, Messrs J. K. .Archer, Armstrong, M. Bethell, L. U. Evans, 11. H. Hollaud. F. llorrrll, "M". ]£. Leadley, 7». McMillan, Clyde C'arr, I*'. G. Norton, 11. Patorson, I-\ Kowell, \V. P. Spcucer, J. Walter, and the liev. J'. Kule. Hospital Committee. The Hospital Committee reported (hat i"~644 2s lid had beeo received in fees. The average daily number of patieuts in hospital during; October, was 341.4. In the venereal diseases' department there were 978 attendances, representing 259 patients, ::s of whom were new. Tho fete t.o be held iu the Hospital grounds, and promoted by the biidy Visitors' Association, had been postponed from December 12th until .February 6th. Miss Pope, -who -was visiting the various hospitals with a view to writing a paper ou dietetics in New Zealand, waited upon the committee and thanked the members for the hospitality which had. been extended to her in the Christ-church Hospital. She spoke in laudatory terms of the work being done in the Board's institution in the direction in which she was interested, aud said that, the preliminary work in dietetics being done, would be of inestimable value when a fully qualified dietitian is installed. "With regard to the Amur! Hospital. Dr. Jennings, who was Medical Officer in the district, for over four years, retired from the position ou October 21st. Tho thanks of the Board were due,to him for services rendered. ~ Tho report was adopted. Public Health. The Public Health Committee reported that £1309 16s lid had been collected in fees. His Excellency the Governor-General visited the tuberculosis institutions on November 2nd, and at the request of his Excellency, the inmates of those institutions had been granted an extra day's leave of absence from the institution. Tho Minister of Defence had withdrawn Wr request for a revision of the agreement with regard to the Upper Sanatorium. It was anticipated that the mail deliveries at each of the institutions by the Postal Authorities would take place as soon as a suitable vehicle could bo obtained for carrying out this work. The Garford truck which wts purchased by the Board in December, 1922, for transport, purposes at fhe tuberculosis institutions, was reported upon as practically having broken down to tho extent that the cost of repair hardly warranted more money being spent, upon it. Under the circumstances, the committee asked for authority to 'advertise for quotations for trucks suitable for the work required, and also for authority to purchaso same provided the approval of the Minister is received. Tho report was adopted.

, The Sanatorium. The -Upper Sanatorium .Committee, Cashmere Hill?, reported that, ten cases -were admitted for treatment, while four patients were discharged during the month. On October 3.lst there were 04 patients under treatment, in this institution, and there were four beds reserved for patients requiring treatment, leaving two beds available. At the out-patient department there wero 55 attendances. Tho report wa3 adopted. Benevolent Committee. The Benevolent Committee reported that tho number of applications for benevolent assistance dealt with was 102, representing 320 persons, also six applications for admission to'institutions. A garden party would be, hnlu in the grounds of the Memorial Home on December sth, for the purpose of raising funds to give extra . comforts to. the old people in the Jubilee Home a.nd "Tuarar.gi, Asliburton. Finance Committee. The Finance Committee reported on the meeting held recently to meet Dr.. T. H. A. Valintine. Six teuders were received for the construction of aD extra storey on top of Ward 10. and that of Mr W. Williamson accepted, of £7986, or about £IOOO below the architoct s estimate . , The Minister had approved the erection oi a new laundry at "Tuarangi" : also the alterations and extension to the Waikari Hospital. The committee was calling for tenders, and asked authority from the Board to accept one in each case when they were received. With regard to the proposed hospital at Darfield, the oommitteo gave further consideration to this, and was of opinion t.hst the Director-General was wrong in thinking that two beds for maternity cases in the Darfield district would be sufficient. It was proposed, in submitting the plans, to rediscuss this matter with the Director-General, and to provide for four maternity beds, which was unquestionably a minimum amount of accommodation when it was taken into consideration that the district- tii»t was sorved had a population of nearly 6000, and portions of it were fully 70 to 75 miles from Christc.hurch. About a year ago a member of the nursing staff cut her hand severely with a Tazor, which had occasioned a considerable amount of disability. An application was made to the committee for compensation, and 'lie Board was asked to approve the committee's action in granting £io2, which was the amount due under the circumstances. Nurses' Home. A letter had been received from the Domains Board, asking for a conference between representatives of ihe Domains Board, the Hospital Board, and the Acclimatisation Society with regard to the question of a site for the Nurses' Home. The committee had appointed Messrs Otley, Holland, Leadley, and Spencer to represent the Board. So far, nothing had been done with Tcgard to the promised new St. Helens Hospital. The committee was of opinion that tho Board' should take no responsibility whatever for the erection of this institution. Also, it had been decided to accept the administration of it. when erected. The commi!;ee asked the Board to consider whether the Department should not be urged to take steps to erect a new building. ■ The matron of the Amuri Hospital, Miss W. Pinkertou, wrote tendering her resignation, which was accepted with regret. The report was adopted.