HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 17636, 15 April 1921, Page 7

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

A TEAR'S REVIEW. At tho conclusion of the business at last night’s meeting of the Hospital Board the Chairman (Mr W. E. S. Knight) said ho desired to touch on several important matters which had occupied tho attention of tho board during the past twelve' months, as it was the last meeting of the board he would preside over prior to tho elections. Tho matter of the finances of the board (published elsewhere) had been dealt with by the chairman of the Finance Committee, and ho could only say he was quite in accordance with all that Mr Quelch had eaid, and there was no necessity to reiterate from the chair that gentleman’s statements. In regard to thesup* plementavy levy, this had been dealt with only recently,' and tho necessity, he thought, was understood for that levy being made. THE OVERDRAFT. Tho board’s overdraft had been in existence for a number of years, and it was hoped before long to bo able to reduce it, thus relieving tho ratepayers for payment of same in one year. The department Had insisted that this overdraft had ta be wiped out to conform with their requirements prior to tho separation of tho South Otago district, so that the South Otago district would bear its fair proportion of such requirements. RIGID ECONOMY. Tho town clerk had forwarded a letter, which they had heard read, suggesting rigid economy. While no could be taken to the advice given therein, he hardly thought it was necessary_ to be forwarded by the Finance Committee of one public body to another_ public body, which had equal responsibilities to the public. T!ic board had always endeavored to exercise tho strictest economy in all its dealings, and tho reason for the large revenue must be apparent, even to the most simple-minded. During the past few years wages and salaries bad increased.- The cost of everything in tho way of all articles used in hospitals, and the cost of living in general, had gone np, which hit the hoard prettv hard, "as against the cost of other public undertakings. If further economies were to ho exercised, they could only be done if the community would be satisfied with impaired efficiency. _ He did not think that in an important institution such ns the hospital this would be tolerated, and the mandate of the people must no efficiency. In these circumstances, onlv if the cost of living was reduced, could the cost of maintaining the hospitals be reduced. It must bo recognised that the board was exercising one of the most, it not the most, important function of any local authority in New Zealand. INFECTIOUS DISEASES^ Another matter which had exercised the board during the year was the question of accommodation for infectious diseases. The board certainly was -lacking in this respect, and In tho event of serious epidemics tho want was severely felt. Up to the present no attempt had been made to occupy the Wakari Hospital, hut at one time during last year it was thought that portion of it would have to bo used for the accommodation of infectious diseases, and at the present time this building, if required for infectious diseases, would have to be used. COUNTRY HOSPITALS. By the instructions of the department in Wellington the board had been compelled to purchase a site at Owaka at a cost of £BO7. Additions and extensions to Tapanui Hospital wore authorised during the year at an estimated cost of £2,500. and up to the present tho sum of £1,488 had been expended. The people of the district had contributed £SOO, which, with the Government subsidy, would assist herein. Arrangements had been made, and the purchase took place at tho beginning of this month of the property at Lawrence costing £1.200, for use as a maternity hospital in that district. Up to the present no agreement had been arrived at as to its use, either as a doctor’s residence or a maternity hospital; but if further expense was to ’ho incurred in connection with this matter it would seem that'the hospital was being overloaded with unnecessary expense in view of the requirements of the district. Already during the yottt the hoard had spent £4ll in connec. tion with the installation of electric light at this institution. At tho beginning of this month tho purchase of the Middlemarch property was completed, this being made possible hv the generous gift of Sir John Roberts, with the Government subsidy thereon, and the hoard had still some mnnev in hand to assist in the. equipment thereof. RADIUM. The honorary medical staff had brought before the board the necessity of increasing its supply of radium, and also the extension of tho X-ray plant. The board approved thereof, and had since received , the Minister's consent, subject to the honorary medical staff providing funds for •aame, and bv the good efforts of Dr Barnett, chairman of the Radium, and X-rav Committee. t'&' sum of no less than £4,397 was available to-dav. Ibis, with the sum still to come to hand, would cover the cost of same. Ue understood from Dr Barnett that tho idea was to establish later on. if possible, a Radium Institute at tho Dunedin Hospital. NURSES’ SALARIES. The salaries of the mirsing staff had been under review during the year, and large amounts were thereby involved. The probationer nurses were now, after their three months’ probation, given tho sum of £lO to provide a, nursing outfit, and at the end of each year each nurse«was given a dress allowance of £4 per annum. As would be seen by tho recommendation submitted that evening, a six-day week was to come into operation as from August 1. This would involve, as previously reported, a further twenty-three nurses being employed, and thereby adding considerably to the board’s expenditure during ■ the year. In conclusion, he had to extend his thanks for the loyal support rendered to him by all members of tho board, and trusted that those who were seeking reelection would’be successful in their efforts. If it should bo his good fortune to be . returned, ho would ho pleased to again renew acquaintance, and work harmoniously with members. ’ He extended his thanks to the staff for its assistance, which had been given cheerfully at all times. Mr Talboys said that the general public had very little idea of the work put in by members of the board. lie complimented the chaiman on the services he had given the board and the public generally. Everything was running very smoothly. There was a scarcity of nurses, and it was very difficult to get the extra number required. The extension was going to cost- an additional £3,000, which was about one-twen-tieth part of what their_ expenses already were. Contributing bodies did not recognise that things they wanted had to bo paid for, and the only way to do that was by rating. During the " war period the rates wore not raised, despite the increased cost. That was a mistake. Ho expressed the opinion that they should have gradually increased their rating, instead of leaving it at Then there would not have been the criticism there had been. He also wished to congratulate Mr Quelch, in whom they had a real good financj.il man. Mr Quelch and others also paid testimony to the great amount of work put iu by tho chairman of the board, Mr Talboys (chairman of the- Benevolent Committee), and Mr Jacobs and his staff.