HOSPITAL BOARD

Evening Post, Volume 50, Issue 50, 27 August 1926, Page 13

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING

QUESTION OF FUEL.

The Hon. C. M. Luke presided over yesterday's meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board, and there were also present:—Messrs. W. Appleton, F. Bennett, D. Campbell, F. Castle, C. H. Chapman, J. H. Helliwell, A. J. M( Curdy, G. Petherick, C. B. Robinson, E. Vine, E. Windley, the Rev. Dr. J. K. Elliott, Mcsdames Fraser and M'Vicar, and Dr. D. M. Wilson (medical superintendent).

Prior to the business of the meeting the chairman made feeling reference to the death, since tho board's last nieetinfi, of Dr. J. P. Frengley, and stressed tho good work that tho late doctor had done for hospitals throughout the Dominion, and especially for the one in Wellington. He also referred to a second loss sustained by 1 the board and by the community in general through the death of Mrs. Grace Neill. In both instances a vote of sympathy and condolence with the relatives was passed, members standing as a mark of respect.

A letter was received complaining of the discomfort of the ambulance to a pneumonic patient. It was pointed out that the new and up-to-date ambulance was not available for this particular patient, having been used that day for no fewer than thirteen cases.

Discussion arose on the question of fuel for the boilers in the new powerhouse. Tho committee had recommended coal in preference to oil, but several members suggested that the latter might be bettor as causing less smoke. It was pointed out that the furnaces could, subsequently if necessary be converted for burning oil, txu~\ that plans were already prepared for the use of coal. The chairman said that in an emergency, during strikes or similar troublous times, it might be easier for the Government to keep the Hospital supplied with coal than with oil.

The statistics for July showed the number of patients admitted to be 608, as compared with 440 during tlie corresponding month of last year, "which shows the necessity," commented a member, "for the new buildings." In all departments the statistics showed a steady increase.

Sister Helen Judge was promoted to be sister-in-charge of the Nurses' Home, and Miss Gladys Gilbert was appointed housekeeper of the same institution.