HOSPITAL BOARD.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20224, 30 April 1931, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARD.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. The annual meeting of the North Oantorbury Hospital Board was held yesterday. There were present: —Mr H. J. Otley (chairman). Miss E. J. M. Cardale, Mesdames T. Green, and ER. McCoinbs, Drs. H. T. D. Acland and.P. S. Foster, Messrs W. Anderson, G. Armstrong, J. S. Baraett, JBoyd, H.-R.-Davison. L. B. Evans, 11. H. Holland, F. Horrell, D. McMillan, F. Rowcll, A. T. Smith, W. P. Spencer, and W. J. "Walter. In her annual report, the Lady Superintendent (Miss Muir) stated that tho present nursing staff numbered 203. The worlc done during the year by all staffs under her control had been of a high standard. Departmental Reports. The nineteenth annual report of the Department of Pathology and bacteriology stated that for the past year the total number of examinations was 12,275; tho hospital cases numbered 6963; the outside cases 5185; and the post mortem examinations totalled 125. The number of free examinations was 177. "There has been a very noticeable drop in the hospital examinations in the last few years," reported tho Pathologist (Dr. A. B. Pearson). "1 think this is partly due to the charges which are .made for these _ examinations. but- there is also a big decrease in the diphtheria examinations as there has been a very marked reduction in diphtheria outbreaks in the Christchurch districts in the last few years. The total estimated value of the work was £5725. The fees charged for outside examinations wero £2167. The value of the free work was £170." This year there had been a slight increase in the outside examinations, but on the whole this ■ class of work did not tend to increase very much chiefly because of the establishment of small laboratories in other centres. The Dental Department's annual report stated that tho receipts for the year showed an increase of £282 His lid over those of tlie previous year. There was an increase in everv branch of the work. The number of dentures, fillings, and operations under anesthetics all showed big increases. The number of patients treated this year also showed a larffe increase. Each year this side of the work was growing larger, and more time had to be set aside for the treatment of in-r patients. It was gratifying to see the results from the elimination- of oral sepsis from these patients. Eight fractured iaw'cases admitted to hospital during the year were successfully treated by the Dental Department. With the present staff of five operators it was hard to cope with the increasing amount of work. An increase in the staff would be much appreciated. Consideration of the reports was held over.