HOSPITAL BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 16196, 18 August 1916, Page 7

HOSPITAL BOARD

The monthly meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held last evening, and attended by Mr J. H. Walker (chairman), Sirs Ferguson, Sirs Jackson, Mrs Gordon, Messrs W. T. Talboys, C. N. Scurr, It. Templeton, W. Begg, F. G. Gumming! W. E. S. Knight, and H. M. Driver.

The Auckland, Taranaki, Waikato, Waihi, Ashburtom Wellington, Stratford, Palmerston North, Thames; and Southland Hospital Boards wrote endorsing the Otago 13oard's protest against the amended regulations under the Nurses' Registration Act. Tho Minister of Public Health, writing on Uie-sonie, said he regretted that the board saw fit to object to the amendments which had been made by the Govemor-in-Couueil. Willi regard to tho amendment to which the board specially objected, he might state that it. was intended simply to emphasise and strengthen the by-law which existed in most well-governed hospitals, and was not specially introduced on account of the recent action of the Otago Board. On the contrary, tho need of the regulation arose out of the acts of several boards. The elimination of outside influence in tho selection: of suitablo women for training as nurses would Semi to uphold the high standard now existent, and which would bo endangered if iiie matrons, who were primarily responsible for the training of nurses, and who were best qualified to judge as to suitability, were not entrusted with the power of selection. As a probationer within the period of three months' trial couid scarcely come under the heading of " staff," tho members of boards could not be expected to hav* individual l.now'c.lgo of their characters and capabilities. Ho regretted that ho could not accede to the request of the board, ns the regulations were now in force, and he ssuv no occasion to have an amendment made by .Mr-ilng the latter part of clause 2.—The correspondence was received. A grant of £25 was made to Hie St. John Ambulance Association.

The committee appointed to report on the Pine Hill property stated that it had arranged with Air Ford to pay £lO a year on certain conditions. —The report was adopted. —Annual Report.— The board considered the annua) report presented by the secretary (Mr. J. Jacobs). Tho Chairman in referring to the same, said:

Dunedin Hoe-pilal.—Tho average number of occupied bLd-> v>cr diem has in-roast d from 132 to 200,' there b-imr s"ii mm patients treated during tho year iiiau the previous year, and the individual average days' i;tay has been reduced. The average ec.st'of ni-amteuar.cc and administration p?r occupied bed, after deducting patients' payments; has r.!-:o been reduced from £36 10s lid to £BS 12s lid, which might be considered as satisfactory. In comparing the balance-sheet, the amount collected from in-patients has decreased £B3, but a considerable amount duo by tho Defence Department is cutstandincr. On. tho expenditure side all the items under provisions have increased, totalling: £1,083, but. the increased prico of foodstuffs might well account for this. Surgery and dispensary division is also increased by nearly £'loo. Domestic and establishment has increased £736, almost every department being in excess of the previous year. Salaries and wages have increased by over £I,OOO. Administration remains aboiu tho same, while tho capita! expenditure has decreased £750.

Otago Benevolent Institution. —The average cost of maintenance and -administration of this institution has increased from £l2" 5s 7d last year to £ls 3s. but, the average- number of inmates por diem being lees would increase this figure. In every line tho cost of provisions lias increased by £565. Surgery and dispensary increased PAI. Domestie and establishment has decreased generally. Repairs to bedding, linen, and drapery incerased £220, but repairs to buildings have decreased £247, also expenditure on "rounds £264.

Pleasant Valley Sanatorium. —The expenditure on this institution remains much about the same' as the previous year, with the exception of the natural increase, but tho largo amount spent on grounds prcviously has not been recurring, nor ha.s the capital expenditure this past year been as large a.3 formerly, which accounts for tho decrease in the balance. A slightly larger amountabout £l4o—was received for maintenance fees. The average cost of maintenance ai.ti administration, after deducting patients' payments, is reduced, which can be mostly accounted for .by reduction of grounds expenditure.

Maternity Hospital.—Tho number of patients admitted to the Maternity Hospital has for eome reason or other dropped from 130 to WO per annum, which likewise reduces tho average number of occupied beds per diem; and what is more to be regretted is tho steady increase of tho average cost of maintenance and administration per occupied bed after deducting patients' payments. This can only be accounted for by the rcrkietion in the number of patients treated in the institution, aa apparently (ha cost re-, mains about the same, irrespective thereof. The provisions havj increased £44, principally in tho items butter, milk, and groceries, whilst domestic and establishment has decreased, principally in cleaning and ohandlcry and repairs to buildings, the cost of renewal of linen, bedding, and drapery being increased.

Fever Hospital.—ln makintr <":'■ tho statistics for a small institution. averages vary very considerably with. .■ii-.:e"of oven one in the average mini': -.a.-cuoied beds per day; but the baianc.-:-!a ei shews an increase in the cost of about £l6O, to be accounted for by increases in meat, butter, eggs, bread, (lour, etc., renewal of bedding, liner, and drapery, cab hires and cartages, and wages. Tuapeka Hospital.-—This shows a decrease in the number of patients under treatment during the year, and the average cost of maintenance, etc., per occupied bed is reduced. £72 more than the previous year was collected for maintenance, and tho total cost reduced by £3B. In almost every item of expenditure a reduction has been made.

Port Chalmers Hospital.—The increased cost of this institution is £l3, but with increased maini.enanco fees collected the increased cost is reduced to £5.

Kuit-angata Hospital.—-More patients have been treated in this institution hist year than any previous year for tho past six years. The total increased cost, is £57, but maintenance recovered is £l6 more than the previous year, so that £4l is the net increased cost, of this institution, spread over every department, with tho exception of salaries and wage:. Tapanui Hospital.—More use is beine; made of this institution each year since its erection, and the total cost is also increasing. Tho provisions bill has gone up, principally in meat. Surgery and dispensary is reduced, domestic and establishment has decreased by £6O, a much lesser amount being expended on grounds and) fuel. Tho salaries have in-creased,-the nurses' having decreased by £24 and the medical increased by £172 &s. " Industrial Schools and Homes. —This board havo little or no control over the expenditure of children committed to industrial schools, so that comments thereon would be fruitless. The'expenditure on industrial schools and homes totalled £4,733 3s lOd. as compared with £4,8.38 0s 9d last year, being a saving of £lO4 16s lid. The" recoveries for the year totalled £767 8s 4d, whilst last year they were £671 19s 7d, or an increase of £55 8s 9d—which might be considered satisfactory. Mr Knight said that the receipt* for tho year totalled £45,113 Is 9d, and the expenditure £51,058 12s 3d. The report was approved, Mr Jacobs aud his 6taff being thanked for preparing it.