HOSPITAL NEWS IN BRIEF

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31123, 28 July 1966, Page 20

HOSPITAL NEWS IN BRIEF

The North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday approved a second term of one year for the present Chatham Islands medical officer. Dr. J. A. Ives.

Computer.—The board decided to cancel its original order for an accounting computer, for which an import licence had been refused, and to seek approval for ordering a faster model, costing £18,150. Ethics.—The board is to consider issuing a printed form to all newly appointed staff indicating the “ethical and legal position with regard to the giving of information concerning patients.” Garden Party.—The board approved the use of the main lawn at Christchurch Hospital for a garden party on February 7 next year, on the occasion of the biennial conference of the British Medical Association.

Geriatrics.—Three applications for the position of geriatric physician will be placed before the medical appointments advisory committee. Manse Site.—The Health Department has approved purchase by the board of a property at 532 Hagley avenue on the former St. Andrew’s Church manse site, for £5350. Nursing.—Professor P. J. Lawrence, professor of education at Canterbury University, will replace Professor A. J. Danks as the university representative on the board’s nursing education committee. Parents.—The St. Helens Hospital parentcraft programme is to be continued as a permanent service. Pregnancy—The charge to outpatients for pregnancy tests has been reduced to £1 as a result of new testing methods. Radio Fund.—Two television sets costing £197 are to be bought for wards at St. Helens Hospital out of a sum of £205 given from the hospital radio fund resulting from a patients’ request session of several years ago. Research.—Mr G. E. Roth, director of the National Radiation Laboratory, was given permission to use diagnostic X-ray equipment at St. Helens Hospital for experimental and research purposes.

Staff.—An establishment of 27 house surgeons will be sought for 1967, together with an extra medical registrar, psychiatric registrar and radiological registrar.

Surgeon s.—Mr Rodney Smith, of London, will be the principal guest speaker at the Christchurch Hospitals Postgraduate Society course in surgery from September 26 to 28. Therapist.—Miss M. A. C. Castellino, a Kenyan Colombo Plan student, who is a qualified occupational therapist, will work for the board until the end of the year. Vacancies.—Nursing vacancies were reported at Akaroa, Cheviot, Ellesmere, Lincoln (2), and Rangiora Hospitals. Country hospitals also need a relieving midwife. Dental Department.—The board decided to erect a building of simple construction at Christchurch Hospital to accommodate the dental department so that extra space is available for the school of nursing, pathology department, and medical library, until the clinical services and ward blocks are completed.