GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 September 1928, Page 12

GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

ORDINARY MEETING.

The ordinary meeting of the Grey Hospital Board was held last evening, present: Messrs J. W. Hannan (Chairman), G. R- Harker, R. Barrowman, R. McTaggart, J. Brislane, A. Robinson, Rev. W. Bell, and Mrs O’Brien. Before the minutes of the last and special meetings were confirmed, Mrs O’Brien stated 1 she had received no notice of the special meeting at which the motion of condolence regarding the late Matron Braidwood, was passed. She had been present at the funeral, and could ffiave been told there.

Messrs McTaggart and Barrowman also said that, they hpd received no notice of the meeting. The Chairman said he accepted all blame in the matter, and regretted that the three Board members had not received notice of the meeting. He had taken it for granted that members would have been notified of the meeting. The meeting was called for ythe primary purpose of setting about calling applications for a Matron to take the place of the late Matron Braidwood, as the Hospital was understaffed, and he wanted as little delay as possible in filling the Matron’s position. The Secretary, North Canterbury -Hospital-Board, wrote regarding the raffling of ‘ a’ flag brought from Australia by Kingsford Smith.'

The Chairman remarked that the Grey Board was getting nothing out of it, and the Board had its work cut out to finance its own institution. On his motion; it was resolved that no action be taken.

The Hospital Boards’ Association wrote notifying the holding of the 1929 Conference in March at •Palmerston North, and asking that any remits be sent in early. The Chairman said the question could be considered at the January meeting, when a delegate to the Conference could be appointed. The Public Works Department forwarded a progress certificate for £1907 on account of Messrs Sotheran Bros., contractors, for the additions to the Hospital.

REPORTS The Medical Superintendent, Dr. F. C. Moore reported that the number of patients in hospital at the beginning of the months was, males 51, females 38. Old People’s Home, males 31, females 6, total 126; admitted during month, Hospital: males 48, females 52, Old People’s Home, males 3, total 103. Patients, discharged during month, hospital, males 36, females 51, Old People’s Home, males 3. total 90; died during mouth, hospital, males 1; fe.males 1. Old People’s Home, males 2, total 4; patients remaining in at end of month, Hospital, males 62, females 31. Old People’s Home, males 29, females 6, total 128. Laboratory returns for month; Total number of specimens examined 286. Value of work £l2B/17/-. Following the transfer of the kitchen to the hospital, it will be necessary to repair the hearth, and wall at this site of the range, in the Old People’s Home kitchen, and to place the gas stove in this position. The tiles which are in use at present, will need removal below the level of the height of the gas stove. It is estimated that the cost of this work will be about £4; that is if the Board’s labourer does the work of cleaning up the area first.

I am glad to report that the isolation measures adopted, have been the means of eradicating the diphtheria outbreak at hospital. The infected patients have, in the majority of cases made good recovery; trouble was being experienced at present with a few carriers. .The number of cases occurring among the general public is also very satisfactorily diminished, only an occasional case being admitted.

MATRON’S REPORT The acting matron reported that Sister K. V. Kirk resumed duty on September 17, after one month’s leave of absence. Sister Merron commenced duty as permanent Night Sister on August 31. Sister Reid, temporary relieving sister, commenced duty on Sept. 1, but was called for duty at Waipukurau Sanatorium, and left on Sept 11. Sister S. Kirk commenced duty as relieving sister on Sept. 11. Sister Wilkinson resumed duty on Sept. 25, after absence on sick leave since Sept. 4. Nurse O’Neill resumed duty after -annual holiday on Sept. IS. Nurses Malcolm and Mac Kay are on annual leave. Probationer Hack started on three months trial on August 24. Probationer Burke is isolated with diphtheria. Nurse Campbell was discharged from hospital on September 15, and is on sick leave. Nurse . Stack resumed duty on Sept. 25,

REWA MATERNITY HOME Matron McGibbon reported: Patients discharged since August 23, 14; admitted 17; births 16 infants; remaining in hospital 11 patients and 9 infants.

Miss Doris Ferguson, trainee, commenced duty on Sept. 17.

VISITING COMMITTEE

A meeting of the Visiting Committee was held yesterday afternoon, present: Messrs J. Brislane (acting chairman), G. R. Harker, R. McTaggart, A. Robinson and Mrs. O’Brien.

The committee proceeded to Rewa Hospital where the matron’s report, was read. It was recommended that the work of erecting an extra room for the night nurse be carried out by the Board’s carpenter. The Committee proceeded to Grey River Hospital where the Acting Matron’s report and that of the Medical Superintendent' were read and approved.