GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 November 1934, Page 11

GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

LAST EVENING’S MEETING. There was little “copy” for the pressmen at last evening’s meeting of the Grey Hospital Board, several matters being discussed in committee, although Mi' F. L. Turley registered, a protest at the exclusion, of the Press. The Chairman (Mr R., McTaggart) expressed the opinion that matters which could be described as “personal” should nofi be given publicity. Other members present were Messrs 11. G. Carter, A. Dbnnellah, J. Kyle, J. B. Kent, and A. Mosley. The Hospital Board's’ Association forwarded an opinion, to the effect that patients’ Were not entitled to the .possession Of X-ray films,, even though they paid fbT the taking of the’ photographs. Hospital .. Boards were the owners' of ttfe; films, and could exercise their discretion as to whether or not they should part with them. Mr Turley said that he did not agree with the Association’s opinion. It had been suggested that patients should be allowed to have the films, for the purpose of taking them to other medical practitioners. The Chairman said that if any medical practitioner wanted a film, it could be supplied, to be returned to the Board, but patients could not secure the films. He moved that it be the policy of the Board, that films be allowed out only to medical practitioners, .. The resolution was seconded by Mr Donnellan.

Mr Mosley suggested that films be lent to medical practitioners, but with the approval of the patient. -That would meet the case. The Chairman agreed to the proviso. Mr Turley said that, in the past, the policy had been that patients could have the films, if they wanted' them. Mr Kent: A mistaken policy. The secretary said that Mr Turley had been the only man able to get films. Mr Mosley (to Mr Turley)': I think you have been favoured, and had more influence than anyone else, in getting those films. Mr Turley said that, in compensation cases, a man might want to take the film to another doctor in -Wellington. Mr Kent said that such films were only good for a medica-l practitioner, and were of no use to laymen. Mr Turley said that he Was entirely opposed to the resolution. It was playing into the hands of private X-ray plants, and people who wanted films for accident compensation purposes would have to go to private practitioners. The Chairman pointed; out that, in past years, films had gone out, and had been returned in a disreputable, useless state. The resolution was approved, Mr Turley dissenting. HOSPITAL FINANCE.

In connection4sith a request from the Hospital Boards’ Association, that remits for the., conference be forwarded at an early date, Mr Carter, said that the “same old remit” had been dealt with by local bodies for years. He. was “sick, and ..tired to death of people snivelling and growling” at. Hospital Board rates, but they did not attempt to bring down other schemes to replace that of the present levy. A person’s health only came second to food, clothing, and shelter. All adults should submit to a levy in connection with the. preservation of their health. Different local bodies had petitioned the Government to get away from the levy system, but that had not been done. The recommendations of the committee set up by the A. and P. Association at Timaru, which .had been published in the Press, were worth 1 investigating. He moved that a remit be sent forward on the same lines. The Chairman said that he heartily endorsed Mr Carter’s attitude. The present system was out of date, and should have been altered years ago. The Government had taken no notice of Hospital Boards’ Association resolutions in the past. Some better system of financing hospitals was required, arid he thought that 90 per cent of the ratepayers would agree. He seconded the resolution. Mr Kent said that another remit should recommend the Government to bring in some form of invalid pensions, which would relieve Hospital Boards of quite a big liability. Health was not a district, but a national matter, and should be dealt with nationally. People were sometimes afflicted through no fault of their own. Mr Carter: A graduated scale would get away from that. Mr Mosley said it seemed to him that the only reasonable method was a tax, in the same form as the'unemployment tax. Every adult would then have to contribute, and to accept his share of the responsibility. Mr Carter said that the same machinery could be used for the collection of the money. The tax could be made on a graduated scale, according to means. The resolution was approved, and it was decided to frame a remit for the conference, urging a. personal levy on a graduated scale, according to income, as a substitute for the existing rating through local bodies.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. The Matron of Rewa Maternity Hospital reported as follows for the period ended November 11: Admissions 15, discharges 14, births 15. Remaining patients 8, infants 8. The Matron of the Grey River Hos> pital reported as follows for the period ended November 11:—The following nurses resumed duty after annual leave: Nurses Daly and Reward October 12. Nurse Vallance, October 21. Nurse Taaffe, October 24. Sister H Smith terminated duty on October 21 Nurse E. Burrows granted special leave 10 davs. Nurse J. Burrows granted special leave 7 days. The following nurses have completed their contract with the Board and are leaving after the State Examination: Nurses H. Wilson, J. O Connell, F. Browne, N. Wright. Domestic Staff:, Miss A.’ McDonald relieved at Nurses’ Home from October 22 to 29. Gladys Gilmore on annual leave. L. Joblmg (Laundress) on sick leave October 11 to 24, relieved by Mrs Gilmore. Milly Gillingham resumed duty November 4, after annual leave. E. Mclntyre on annual, leave, relieved by K. Baird. I have to acknowledge with thanks the following gifts to Hospital: Whitebait from Mr Hannam; books from Mr Poole, Mr McDonald and Mr E. Flood. The Municipal Band played in the Hospital grounds on October 14, and was much appreciated by the patients and staff. The Medical Superintendent reported for the period ended October 31, as follows:—Patients in at beginning of

month.—Hospital, males 32, females 17. 0.P.H., males 34, females 6. Patients admitted during month. — Hospital, males 51, females 43. 0.P.H., males 1, females 1. Patients discharged during month. Hospital, males 37, females 25. 0.P.H., males 1, females 1. Patients died during month. Hospital, males 2, females 0. 0.P.H., males —, females —. Patients remaining at end of month. Hospital, males 44, females 35. 0.P.H., males 34, females 6.

Radiographic Department, period ended October 31:—In Patients 55. Total No. Films 128. Out Patients 31. Physiotherapy Department, period ended October 31: —In Patients 269, Ultra Violet Ray 26. Out Patients 173.

Bacteriological Department, period ended October 31: —Total number of specimens examined 184. Public health specimens examined 44. T.B. report, three months ended October 17:—Old Patients 11. Recommended Sanatorium 1. New Patients 10. Diagnosed T.B. 1. Enquiries 3.

The Hospital Committee recommended: That five probationers be approved for calling up to replace those whose contracts terminate after the State Examinations, the names to be selected in order of seniority of application. The recommendation was approved. The Finance Committee recommended that accounts paid amounting to £482/19/10 be ratified and accounts amounting to £985/14/9 be passed for payment. The Committee reported that the Health Department advised that authority for bank overdraft on general account for Rie months of Octbber { November and December, was not ‘to exceed £6OOO, £4,000 and £2,000 respectively. In connection with the Hospital additions, the Committee recommended that the plans as amended, be approved. The reports were adopted.