HOSPITAL NEWS IN BRIEF

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28984, 27 August 1959, Page 15

HOSPITAL NEWS IN BRIEF

Assistant Medical Superintendent

Authority for the appointment of an assistant medical superintendent of Christchurch Hospital, the position to be combined with the duties of admitting officer and infections officer, will be sought by the North Canterbury Hospital Board from the Health Department. It was important that the appointee should do clinical work as well as administrative work, said the chairman (Dr. L. C. L. Averill) at yesterday’s meeting of the board. An appointee would be of great assistance to the medical superintendent (Dr. T. Morton).

Kitchen Survey.— The Health Department has offered every assistance to the board in its task of improving, conditions in the main kitchen at Christchurch Hospital. Raising of Loans. — The offer of a Wellington firm to undertake the underwriting of board loans at 20s per cent, was accepted. Hospital Insurance.— The board decided to take an insurance cover of £750,000 on the first two stages of Princess Margaret Hospital and one of £300,000 on the nurses’ home. A cover of £50,000 on the furnishing and equipment in both buildings was considered adequate. Amuri Ambulance. — A grant of £650 was made towards the cost of a new ambulance for the Amuri sub-centre, subject to the replacement being recommended by the Transport Department. Nurses Graduate. — All candidates from the Christchurch Hospital who sat the recent State examination qualified as nurses. Six have since resigned, four to marry, one to travel overseas and one to take further training. Only one of the 74 candidates for the first professional examination failed. General congratulations were extended by the board. Maternity Case Items. — The list of items which prospective maternity patients are asked to bring into the board’s hospitals differs only slightly from the revised list of the Health Department. “These items are minimal, it being felt that, while in hospital, all items necessary for the care of the baby be supplied by the board, because of the risk of cross infection,” reported the institutions committee.

Donation to Hospital.— The donation of £lOO recently made by a patient for the benefit of the nursing staff of Kaikoura Hospital will be invested and the annual interest used for amenities.

Kaikoura Land.— When visiting Kaikoura. the estimates committee discussed a suggestion that the board dispose of certain of its land adjoining the hospital for subdivision for housing. The views of the Health Department have been sought.