GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 October 1934, Page 5

GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

LAST EVENING’S MEETING. BORO’ COUNCIL & CONFERENCE. The monthly meeting of the Grey Hospital Board was held last evening. There were present, Messrs R. McTaggart, A. Mosley, J. B. Kent J. Kyle and F. L. Turley. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs H. G. Carter, J. Mulcare, and Mrs K. O’Brien.

The Department of Health forwarded approval of the appointment of Dr. H. G. Barrett, as chief surgeon to the hospital. N.Z. Newspapers Ltd., forwarded £l9 7/1, the proceeds of dances conducted on the West Coast, as a donation to the Children’s Ward Fund, which was acknowledged with thanks.

The Cobden Town Board notified the appointment of Mr. F. L. Turley, as the representative for Cobden, for a further term.

The Chairman said it was his duty to welcome Mr. Turley, on his return to the Board tabll, and the speaker hoped that during his term of office, Mr. Turley would cooperate with the other members. The Chairman added that he felt sure the whole cooperation of members was necessary to bring about efficiency, which although established, could yet be taken to greater efficiency. In returning thanks, Mr. Turley said that he only hoped that during his term on the Board, he could satisfac-

torily represent the people, who were really the owners of the hospital. The Greymouth Borough Council forwarded a letter suggesting that A conference be held between the members of the Board and the Council, to discuss hospital affairs, and asked the Board to fix a suitable date.

The Chairman stated that, in refer' epee to the working of the institution

the Board had been in communication with the Health Department, and the latter had notified the Board that it would send a departmental officer to the hospital, at the earliest oppor-

tunity. The speaker could not. see any reason why the Greymouth Bor-

ough Council, any more than any of the other contributing bodies to the hos-

pital, should .have the right to ask for an enquiry into the Board’s affairs, any more than the Board had to enquire into the affairs of the Council. The Greymouth Borough Council was not the only contributing body in the Board’s district. Other* bodies had approved of the Board’s action. He did not see that it was the business of the Greymouth Borough Council. However, he wished to state that the challenge issued previously by the Board to certain people, was still open, and it held good with the Greymouth Borough Council. The challenge was that, if the Council, or any other • person, would be prepared to pay the cost of an enquiry, or the Board members to pay for it, if they were proved wrong, then an enquiry would be held. It was not right, he added, that the ratepayers’ money should be wasted on an enquiry. As fax’ as the speaker was concerned — Mr. Kent: But the Council is not asking for an enquiry, Mr. Chairman.

It asks only for a conference. I am in favoui- of giving them any information apart from anything of a personal nature. We have nothing to hide. You .will remember that the Council visited here once before, and councillors Were very pleased with the institution. There is nothing to prevent them coming again. The Chairman: They want to know what the trouble is about —the controversy during the past four months.

I don’t see they have a right, any more than other contributing bodies, to come here for a conference. " Mr. Kent: It was only personal matters that were mentioned as the subject for an enquiry. They are better left out. I think the Council desired to have a look through the hospital. The Chairman: That is not their idea.

Mr. Kent: lam one that would welcome a conference, and you said that the Board would welcome one, Mr. Chairman. The Chairman: I quite agree, provided other local body representatives are entitled to come. Mr. Kent: We invite them each year, and they are generally well satisfied with things here.

Mr. Kyle suggested that representatives of the contributing bodies be invited to a conference, while the departmental officer was in Greymouth, and have him in attendance.

The Chairman: He is only beint sent down to meet Board members.

Mr. Mosley said he understood that the Council’s desire was for the Council’s representatives on the Board,_ to go to the Council, and discuss hospital affairs with them.

Mr. Kent: I would be quite pleased to go and meet them. Mr. Mosley: lam quite prepared to meet the Council. I think that, as the Council is such a large contributing body to this institution, it has a right to know the ins and outs; and if the Council wishes its representatives to meet them, this Board should offer no objection.

The Chairman: Then why didn they ask their representatives, instead of asking for a conference with the whole Board? Why do they want to come along here? Mr. Turley asked that the letter be 'again read, and the secretary, Mr. J E. A. McKeefry, complied. The Chairman: There are other members on this Board, who are not answerable to the Greymouth Borough Council. ’ Mr. Turley: From the tone of the letter, it certainly appears that the whole of the Board has been requested to meet the Council here. Mr. Mosley said he had understood from'Press reports of the Borough Council meetings that the Council desired only its representatives to meet the Council. The Secretary stated that the matter had been dealt with at two Council meetings. At tbe first, the Mayor had proposed a conference, but an amendment, which was carried asked for an enquiry. At the second meeting the Mayor’s point of view had been accepted, and the Council asked for a conference. . * Mr. Mosley: The letter indicates that, certainly. . Mr Kent said that the Brunner Borough Council was not represented bv any particular member on the Board, but. he had been asked to meet that Council, and did so, for the purpose of discussing Hospital Board affairs with its members. Any contributing body, he said, had the right to know about hospital affairs, other than personal matters. The Chairman said that it was not right to give any one body preference over another. Mr. Mosley: Each body has the right’ but some have not been disposed to exercise it.

The Chairman: I cannot understand why the Council did not ask for a conference with its own representatives.

Mr. Kent: I understood that was what was wanted. Mr. Turley said there appeared to be some mistake, and he moved that the letter be referred hack to the Council, and ask whether it was only a conference with the Council’s representatives that was desired. Mr. Mosley seconded the motion. The Chairman expressed the opinion that it 'might be as well to await the arrival of the Departmental officer, and the Board could then invite representatives of all contributing bodies to a conference.

Mr. Kyle agreed, saying that everything was now running smoothly at the hospital, and he failed to see what good an- enquiry would do, as all the trouble was finished now. The hospital was working as efficiently as ever before. ’

Mr. Turley said he questioned whether everything was running smoothly, and the trouble was not finished with by a long way. Nor was the hospital working as efficiently as some members made out. Mr. Kent: There will always be a fly in the ointment. Mr. Turley: Probably there will be while some people remain on the Board.

Mr. Kent: Probably there will be. :00.

The motion was carried, and the letter referred back to the Borough Council.

£29,000 LOAN UPHELD

A notice of motion, given by Mr. Mosley, “that the motion at present on the Board’s minutes, authorising 'the raising of a £30,000 loan, be rescinded,” was dealt with, and defeated. .

In moving the motion, Mr. Mosley said his reason, was that he considered that Board members now realise that it was not necessary to place such a heavy burden on the ratepayers at the present time. People were now taxed and rated up to the hilt. Many were finding it difficult to meet their obligations. “For the life of me,” he added, “I cannot see where it is necessary to go in for such a huge expenditure at the present juncture’.’ He said there was any amount of room

in the Hospital at the present time, and he considered that there would

be for several Years yet. Even acknowledging that there would he times of emergency, as there had been in the past, the Hospital was big enough to meet such occasions. The Board had never previously had to contend with opposition, but private institutions, were now an established fact, in Greymouth, and they would continue to be so. That being the case, the speaker was satisfied that it would be a good number of years before the Board would get up to the mark where the present accommodation would prove inadequate. He predicted that it would

be from eight to ten years, and he could not see any reason at all, for the expenditure. He had expressed a similar opinion at the first committee meeting that he had attended. He had then questioned the wisdom of the expenditure, and during the past few months that he had sat on the Board he had not been convinced that it was necessary. He excluded the proposal to establish a Children’s Ward, for he believed that was necessary. But as for the £30,000 loan— The Chairman: £29,000. Mr. Mosley, continuing said that it was. not warranted. As far as he could gather, the number of occupied beds had increased during the past 10 oi’ 11 years. He assumed that was due to the Medical Superintendent who managed the hospital during that time. There had been a change, and he considered that the Board, for the next 8 to 10 years would have any amount of room for the patients who were likely to be in the hospital. Mr. Turley said he would second the motion, pro forma, to secure an expression of ideas from other members. Like Mr. Mosley, the speaker thought the present was not the time to warrant such a large expenditure,

having relation to the number of patients in ihe hospital. From a report in front of him, he noticed that there were 49 patients in the institution. ’ / The Secretary: No!

“PRIVATE” COMPETITION Mr. Turley: Well if 32 males, and 17 females do not make 49, I cannot add up figures, and they are here in front of me, showing the number in hospital at September 30. Even if we had a few more, this hospital can accommodate 90 without overcrowding. I believe that the matter of building should be gone into from a different angle. Part of the loan could be raised. I do not feel that I can say the Hospital has the same number of occupied beds as previously. There is opposition now, and in one instance extensions have been put on to a private hospital in Greymouth, to provide for further beds. That is a fact. The public who can afford to pay, will make use of the private hospitals, because they are not satisfied with the Greymouth Hospital. When the loan was first granted, there was a lot that met the eyev and probably a lot that did not meet the eye. The loan was granted because of the fact that the Government is contemplating a reor-

ganisation of the hospitals’ system, aiming at centralisation of hospitals, and the move will be to make this the main institution for the Coast. That, however, is a very long way off. I do not see why the ratepayers of Greymouth should be the scapegoats, and put up buildings, thereby making the Health Department’s policy. That is why the Health Department fell into line with the loan, for it was certainly helping them. People should not be burdened with the loan at the present time. It is not required. The Chairman said he was opposed

to the notice of motion. Tn the first place, he added, the hospital was a 05 bed institution, and it would not be good policy for the Board to continue along the line that it had been during a. number of years past. The service required by patients could not possibly be given if it did not extend the institution. The whole matter had been gone into by the Board, along with representatives of contributing bodies, whose delegates had agreed to the proposals after hearing the report of the Medical Superintendent. The Board considered that the time was ripe to embark on a policy for additions. The whole position depended largely one upon the other, in regard .to the proposed alterations and extensions. Rewa Maternity Hospital had been overtaxed on occasions. That was a 9-bed hospital, but there had been as many as 23 patients there, at the one time. Under such conditions, it was not possible for the matron and staff to give efficiency. Some of the staff were housed under the hospital, which was damp. He did not think any member of the Board would like to be

* living under such unfavourable condii tions. That being so, an up-to-date 1 maternity hospital was warranted. Rewa was also not a training school, and local girls were thereby deprived of the opportunity to go into, training. If. built on the hospital grounds, the maternity hospital would be up-to-date. All realised that a Children’s Ward was necessary at the present time. Hannan Ward was now under alteration, being converted into a children’s 1 ward. The patients from Hannan Ward would have to be found other accommfidation. The. Nurses’ ftome was taxed to its utmost. Tyyelye of the nursing staff were occupying the quarters originally reserved for the' domestic staff, and the latter were housed in the Old People’s Home. How anybody could say that the loan was not warranted, under the circumstances existing at the hospital the speaker could not understand. The hospital kitchen was in a deplorable state, and could not cope with the demand. There were at times as many as 200 persons to be fed. Much had been said about the decrease in the number of patients, and the increase in the number of patients in the private hospitals. The speaker begged to differ from that opinion. It had been said that the admihistration of the hospital had something to do with that. He did not think such remarks were creditable to those who made them. It had been said that a former Medical Superintendent had been responsible for the increase in the number of patients, which was unfair to those now in charge. He said that there would still be the same amount of sickness, and number of accidents as in the past. This was a growing district, and a gold boom was going on. It had been stated by the Government ,and those in opposition, that things had changed for the best. That would mean absorbing industry, and as a consequence there would be more accidents, than when the various industries were employing . less men, and working less time. As far as efficiency in the hospital was concerned, the speaker said it was his candid opinion, for he had kept his eyes open, and had been in touch with the work .of the institution; and with all due respect to the medical officers, and staff of the past, that during his nine years on the Board, the hospital had never greater efficiency than at present. Mr. Turley: That is a question of opinion. The Chairman, continuing, said that the hospital now had a medical officer who had given every satisfaction. The speaker was aware that there was an element out to sabotage the Medical Superintendent, but that would not make aiiy difference. The “certain element” endeavoured to draw a red herring across tjxe path, but that would not get very far. The present surgeon was capable of doing any work that had ever been done in the institution. The Chairman added that he believed that within the next three or four months, the number of occupied beds would not be 96.4 per cent., but up to 125 per cent. That being so, he was in favour of going on with the whole of the building scheme. It was necessary, to enable efficiency to he given to patients, the staff, and all concerned with the hospital. Mr. Kent said he could not add much in support of the building proposals, as the Chairman had covered the ground. The efficiency that the Board proposed to establish would be to the benefit of the poorer people. Everybody was treated at the hospital, whether they could pay, or not. Every contributing body had endorsed the proposals for extension. Mr. Turley: The Government were pleased. Mr. Kent said the Government would be only too pleased to find an expuse for not supplying the money. The Board had been endeavouring for years to extend the hospital. It was only a question,of time till they could not do without additions, and the Government had realised they were now necessary.

Mr. Kyle said that Board members had put in many hours, night and day, in conjunction with Mr Turley, in considering the proposals. Mr. Turley had been just as keen as other members to extend the hospital. The Board had been unanimous ixx its vote. All realised that a children’s ward would be a grand thing; and a maternity hospital on the hospital grounds would enable girls to train. The wards in the hospital would be in a more efficient and cleaix state. It was the people who could not pay that would benefit, and that was why the speaker was “right out” fox* going on with the whole scheme. It would simply “be making a fool of the thing, to take it in sections.” There had been tob much “adding on” to the hospital for years past. In reply, Mr. Mosley said that it had been quite uncalled for, for the Chairman to say that a red herring was being drawn across the path. As far as the speakei’ was concerned, there was no red herring. He asked the Chairman if he remembered the speaker having raised the question at his •first committee meeting. The Chairman: That is true. CHANGED CONDITIONS.

Mr. Mosley: I was assured by you, and members, that the work was necessary. You all have a right to your opinions, but I consider such a huge expenditure is not necessary. It is not a question of the ability of any of the medical men, or the staff. What I am concerned about is the heavy rate on the people. To my mind, it is unnecessary with the number of patients making use of the hospital. You will agree that a number of people at one time went to Christchurch in preference to coming to this hospital. In recent years they have been converted, more or less, and are being converted to the use of their own district’s hospital, because they received service. There has now been a change in the medical staff, and you will find that it will be quite a while before the people become confident about coming here. It will be eight or ten years before it is built up to require extensions, so why go to heavy expenditure? I am not suggesting that certain things are not necessary, but I do suggest that the whole of the building scheme is not necessary at present. Mr. Turley’s suggestion that the position be reviewed, is a good one. At the time the proposals were being considered, I believe that members' thought the additions were essential, but since then some important changes have come about, and I would like the question to be reconsidered. That does not mean that we cannot go on with the work, if conditions change. If the maternity hospital is built on the hospital grounds, and under the jurisdiction of the main hospital there will be a vastly different story to tell. I do not think there would be a very big percentage of-patients come heie. They would go to private hospitals. The Chairman: That is not borne out by the experience of other hosPi Mi ,S Moslev: I certainly think that what’ I say ’will be the case here. Privacy is one of the most important

things in maternity cases. Rewa is not as overtaxed as we are led to believe. They seem to overcome the difficulty there. We have a competent matron, who rises to the occasion. \

The Chairman: She has had to turn patients away. Mr. Mosley: You are in the position to know that, better than I am. Yet I certainly think the question should be investigated again, before the programme is put into operation. Mr. Kent: Have you any ideas on the matter, or are you simply negativing the proposals? You must understand that this is not, the final programme.- It is only a part of the scheme Messrs. Kent and Mosley entered into questions and answers, until Mr. Turley asked that the motion be putj to the meeting. It was defeated, Messrs. Mosley and Turley being its only supporters. -

STAFF AND FINANCE REPORTS.

The Matron of Rewa Maternity Hospital reported as follows for the period ending October 7: Admissions 16; births, 16; discharges 17; remaining patients 5; infants 5. The Matron of the Grey River Hospital reported for period ending October 7 as follows:— September 12: Nurses Daly and Heward commenced annual leave; Sister Smith has received an appointment of afternoon superintendent at New Plymoxxth and has tendered her resignation. September 25: Nurse Taaffe commenced annual leave; September 28: Sister Hayden commenced annual leave; Trial Probationer Hickey has been medically examined and recommended for first year training. September 29: Nurse Heslop resumed duty after annual leave. September 30: Nurse Vallance commenced annual leave. October 1: Nurse Waghorn has submitted her resignation, owing to lyjalth reasons, and has decided not to continue her training. Domestic Staff: October 1: Miss Nellie Baird resumed duty after annual leave; M. Gillingham commenced annual leave, relieved by K. Baird. I have to acknowledge with thanks the following gifts to the hospital:—Flowers from the Cobden Church of England and toys for the children’s ward from Miss Wilde, Rungnga. The Civic Band played in the hospital grounds on September 16, and was /much appreciated by patients and staff. The Medical Superintendent reported as follows for the period ending September 30: —Patients in at beginning of month: Hospital 42 males, 37 females; Old People’s Home 34 males, 6 females; admitted during month, 55 males, 26 females; 0.P.H., 1 male; discharged during month, hospital 61 males, 46 females; died during month, hospital, 4 males, 1 female;, 0.P.H., 1 male; remaining at end of month, hospital, 32 males, 17 females; O.P.H. 34 males, 6 females. The Radiographic Department reported for the period ending September 30: Number of patients 77; number of film® used 148; average films per patient 1.9. The Physiotherapy Department reported for the period ending September 30: Outpatients 234; in-patients, 149;* ultra violet ray 38. The Bacteriological Department reported for the period ending September 30: Total number of speciments examined, 136; public health specimens 24.

The Rewa Maternity Hospital requisitions were: Staff dining room requires papering; the kitchen»sink rooms and bathroom require painting. The Chairman suggested that reports, as circulated, be approved. Mi’ Turley said he would move that the reports be approved, subject to the deletion of that portion of the reports which referred to Sister E. M. Moore’s leave, as that matter had not been cleared up. The report did not state when the leave dated from, and the speaker'certainly wanted to know that. He considered that it was a “vile system” of giving leave, fox’ it amounted to compulsory leave. He was convinced that the circumstances leading up to it, and the Board’s action would not stand the light of day. That would probably be. discussed at a later date, and the position would not reflect credit to the medical profession. The recommendation granting Sistex- Moore thre? months’ leave was too indefinite. There was more behind it than some people wished to know, and if they did know, it was more than they wished to disclose. It amounted to pressure being brought to bear, to force SiStex- Moore out of the hospital, and he was opposed to such methods of getting rid of anybody in the hospital, or any other place. Mr Mosley:' Do yoxx suggest it be deleted?

Mr Turley: Yes, because it is not reasonable. I think it is entirely wrong.

Mr Mosley said he had to confess that he was not quite clear, as to what Mr Turley really meant. As far as the speaker knew, he understood Sister Moore was granted three months’ leave, as from the last meeting.

The Chairman: That is true. Mi- Turley: Then I want that included in the report, if it is correct. The Chairman: Any seconder? Mr Mosley: So long as that time is included in the report, I am prepared to allow it to go through. The staff, and othex’ reports, were then adopted. In connection with the Medical Superintendent’s general report, the Hospital Committee recommended as follows:—That re Theatre Sister, the

appointment be left in the hands of

the Medical Superintendent and Chairman; that regarding the Laboratory, the boarding allowance of £75 pex* annum granted Sistex’ Braidwood be discontinued, and that she take up her residence in the Nurses’ Home; that the scraping and painting of the Theatre and the surgical ward to eliminate organisms found under the wallpaper be approved; that regarding the Medical Superintendent’s report oxx complaint of Mrs E. Lee, it be approved, and it is recommended that a summary of this report be forwarded to Mrs Lee; that regarding Sister E. M. Moore, it is recommended that a written opinion be procured from Dr. Wilkinson, and that Sister Moore, in answer to her request, be informed that she is granted three months’ leave of absence. ,and before returning to duty will have to be further examined by the Medical

Superintendent. The recommendations were adopted.

The Finance Committee recommended: That accounts ..paid amounting to £1274/12/7 be ratified, and accounts amounting to £739/9/8 be passed for payment; that application be made to the Health Department for an extension of the overdraft authority of £6,000 to December 31, 1934; following on a notification from the District Engineer of the Public Wprks Department, that part of the existing Hospital buildings are on a road and Railways reserve, the matter was referred to Messrs Hannan and Seddon

who, from a search of the records of the Registrar at Hokitika, have confirmed the Engineer’s statement. It is recommended that the solicitors be asked to take the necessary steps to have the portions mentioned included in the Hospital reserve; that the Board support the Brunner Borough Council in its efforts to have separate representation on the Hospital Board, and that the Director-General of Health be informed in reply to his letter that the Board is favourable to the proposition, and can see no objection to increasing the total personnel of the Board to ten members.