HOSPITAL NEWS IN BRIEF

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29008, 24 September 1959, Page 8

HOSPITAL NEWS IN BRIEF

Over-all Cleaning Contract

A new contract for cleaning services for the institutions of the North Canterbury Hospital Board at a ceiling price of £127,909 will be negotiated.

The finance committee reported to yesterday’s meeting of the board that the over-all contract would be a saving of £1786 a year. The final quote for cleaning Princess Margaret Hospital was £24.214.

Waiting Lists.— Patients on the surgical waiting list will be allocated to surgical teams and patients who have seen a consultant privately will not necessarily be operated on by him or operated on in any specific hospital. “This is an extension of the □resent practice and should result in an easing of the waiting list orogramme,” reported the institutions committee.

Occupational Therapy.— Miss J. Vesey, who will return to New Zealand early in November, was appointed charge occupational therapist at Princess Margaret Hospital. Speech Therapy.— Dr. J. Seabrook, speech therapist at Christchurch Hospital, will terminate her service next week. Electric Blankets.— Because the Standards Institute is being approached with a view to effecting considerable improvements in existing standard specifications, the board decided to take no further action in the meantime on the use of electric blankets in obstetric hospitals. Nurse Trainees.— About 55 preliminary school nurses entered the junior school of nursing on Monday and a group of between 55 and 60 candidates will be enrolled in the preliminary training school next Monday. Sister Resigns.— Sister E. E. McIntosh has resigned after 11 years service to take the position of matron of Windsor House.

Kaiapoi District Nurse.— At present, district nursing at Kaiapoi is done three days a week by a nurse from Christchurch. The arrangement appeared to meet the demand, reported the institutions committee and a full-time appointment was unnecessary. The board decided to review the service in six months.

New Medical Ward.— Alterations to the medical ward at Coronation Hospital have been completed. The ward will be opened for the reception of patients when nursing staff accommodation has been arranged.

Cashmere Chaplaincy.— The office designated “medico social workers’’ at Princess Margaret Hospital will become the chaplains’ office. The commissioning committee reported that it was hoped that devotional items of furnishing such as candles and crucifixes would be obtained by donation.

Loans Filled.— The board's loans, underwriters have been advised that the board has sufficient funds to carry it through until March next and the board will make an issue in April.

Staff Houses.— The gardens of houses occupied by the board’s staff will continue to be the responsibility of the tenants but when they are situated in or near an institution, the maintenance of the hedges will be regarded as the board's responsibility.