Palmerston Hospital Board.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 14, 11 October 1907, Page 2

Palmerston Hospital Board.

The monthly meeting of the Palmerston held yestorday', Mr. Cohen presiding. The matron's report shewed that the inmates on September 1 numbered thirty-four. Fifty patients were admitted during the month and forty-eight were discharged, leaving thirty-six in oii October 1. The condition of'the patients was as follows:—Cured, 28; relieved, 11; iininipfoved, 2;' deaths, 7. Dr.'Valentino wrbto stating that it is desired that nurses undergoing a course of training in various Mental Hospitals should be enabled to obtain experience in medical and surgical work in the general hospitals. His suggested proposal .is that after at least three years 1 training in a'Mental Hospital and passing- the State Medico-Psychological Examination, one or perhaps two nurses should pass on to the general hospital for two. years, and be allowed then, to enter for the final State Examination for general nurses. The Board decided to assist .je scheme as' outlined.. , _ Dr. Martin wrote objecting to children in arms being allowed into the .wards ,on visiting days, and pointed out the danger of carrying infection. Ho also referred to tho system adopted in. English hospitals, where'- no infants ' under. tho age of five years were premitted ] to enter on visiting days.* It was decided to add the Doctor's suggestion to the existing rules. Referring to the unfortunate coincidence of substituting the body of a local resident f6r an outsider who died at the institution, the Chairman said ho was sorry, and so were all the membors of the Board, that such an occurrence did take place. It remained for tho Board to guard against a recurrence in the future., With that end in view, he gave notice of motion that there' bo inaugurated a proper system of identification of all bodies removed for burial. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to tho staff for their valuable assistance and excellent arrangements in connection with the opening of tho new ward. ■ ;