GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1936, Page 5

GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. NURSE’S RESIGNATION DEBATED / / ' The meeting of the Grey Hospital Board was held last evening, there being present: Messrs R. McTaggart (Chairman), H. G. Carter, J. Smeaton, A. Robinson, F. L. Turley, A. Mosley, A. H. McKane, J. B. Kent, and J. Mulcare..

A motion of condolence with Dr. T. Fletcher Telford, District Medical Officer for Canterbury and Westland, in the death of his wife, was passed. The Hospital Committee’s report was received as follow: —The following are the recommendations of your Committee: That in connection with the Matron’s report the following matters be given effect to: Probationers Baldock, Thompson, H. Gibbs and Brown are recommended for the first year of training. That the matter of light duty for a nurse who has had Sanatorium treatment be left in the hands of the Matron for action. That mattress racks be made to the satisfaction of the Matron. That the old portion of the floors in the dining and sitting rooms be stained and varnished. That a relieving maid be appointed in accordance with the Matron’s recommendation. That when furnishings for the Matron’s new quarters .are arranged the Matron transfer there within a month. That the resignations be accepted. Sister G. Smidt be granted six months’ ? leave of absence, and that in connection with the resignation of Nurse Mahoney a report be procured from the former tutor sister. Recommended that a letter of appreciation be forwarded to Dr. E. E. Brown for the manner in which he carried out his duties whilst relieving at the hospital. Post Mortems: Mr J. Smeaton

gave nonce oi motion lo icbuuu solution passed at the December meeting of the Board, and that the Under Secretary of the Department of Justice be notified, of this action. In connection with the recommendation of the Visiting Committee of the 6th. February, Messrs McTaggart, Mosley, Turley and McKane were appointed a special committee in terms of the Visiting Committee’s recommendation. X-ray Table: Mr J. F. Welch attended the meeting of the Hospital Committee to explain the necessity for the erection of a transformer or, alternatively a. stabilizer to obviate the fluctuation in the supply of electric current to the X-ray’ Department and it was resolved that Mr Welch be thanked for his attendance and the lucid manner in which he explained the necessity for the installation of n nnarafiia

-Mr Kent moved, and Mr Mulcare seconded, .that the report be adopted. Mr Turley moved an amendment "that the Committee’s report be adopted, with the exception of the acceptance pf Nurse Mahoney’s resignation: that a special meeting of the Board be held next ; Monday to deal with this resignation and that Dr. Bridgman, the Matron, and Nurse Mahoney be asked to attend the meeting for the purpose of going fully into this case, further, th’at the former Tutor Sister be .asked to reply to the Board’s letter by Monday night.” Mr Turley added that he moved the amendment fully -conversant with what he was doing. 'The matter was too serious to let go. It would be in the Board’s interests to clean the thing up, and the only way to do it properly was to get all the parties together before the Board. He thought the Board would be more than satisfied with the result of a special meeting. Accusations had been made by the Medical Superintendent and the nufse concerned, which were too serious to let go, .and it was in the interests of all concerned to have a special meeting. .'Mr Mosley: Knowing the feeling in the hospital at present, I -feel bound to support the amendment. It will be in the interests of the hospital generally to have a special meeting, in this connection. I second the amendment. MUCH “COMMITTEE.” lie was one who voted against acceptance on the previous evening, but he was not one who, when he was “whacked,” wanted to have the question re-opened. He voted against acceptance on the previous .evening, but his side was defeated, and was agreeable to stand by the Board’s decision. He felt that the Board went into committee too often, and on many occasions, he had gone into committee against his will. The vote on the question would probably be the same as on Monday, evening last, if taken again. Mr McKane said he thought that reopening the question would mean the same thing as at the hospital meeting. It was one person’s word against another’s. The position was that the resignation came in, and was accepted, but they were now switchinground tp have another enquiry. He did not think it would do much good. Mr Smeaton: There are. far too many resignations from the staff, to promote harmony, and efficient working. I’m fully convinced of that, and I don’t care who knows it. There must be drastic changes before harmonious working can be secured, and he was awaiting the report of the special committee set up to deal with the matter.

Mr Mulcare said he was going to reverse his vote now. It was idle to do things in committee and then bring them up in open Board again. Personally, he was going to support the amendment.

Mr Turley said all he wanted was to clear up the ill-feeling, and he felt it could be done by the special meeting he had suggested. If members thought that too much was being kept behind closed doors, they had their remedy. Mi’ jSmeaton said he would agree to have no Finance Committee. Mr Mulcare said he was of' that opinion too. The Chairman: That would be nice, wouldn’t it? Mr Turley said he thought members would admit that all hands got a bit out of control on the previous evening. Mr McKane rose to a point of order, and the Chairman put the amendment. Mr Turley’s amendment was carried. Messrs Robinsan, Smeaton, Muleare, Mosley, and Turley supporting it. In connection with the installation of the new X-ray table, it was decided on the motion of Messrs McKane and Kent to ask the Power Board to put in a transformer at the Hospital, the Hospital Board to pay one-half of the cost, about £l5O. In reference to the proposals for a loan, it was resolved on the motion of

Messrs. McKane and Mosley that the secretary proceed to Christchurch and 1 Wellington, for a week or 40 days, to interview financial interests, in an endeavour to arrange a loan at three and a-half per cent. A special committee’s report on thej remodelling of the interior of the existing kitchen, providing for suitable dining quarters for the domestic staffs, and for the installation of an updodate refrigerator, was approved, on. the motion of Messrs Turley and Smeaton. The secretary, Mr. J. E. A. McKeefry, stated in reply to a query, that the scheme adopted would mean a saving of some £l2OO on the Department’s plan. It was resolved that the secretary, while in Wellington, obtain the' consent of the Department ito the Board’s plans, also that the secretary interview the Department regarding the overdue shacks. The House Manager’ was authorised to build a path, of approximately 60 feet, to the front of the Matron’s house.

STAFF REPORTS. Matron—-Rewa Hospital: Admissions 20, discharges 12; birth 20, remaining 10. Matron, Grey River Hospital; — Nurses Taaffe and O’Connor were successful at the recent State Examination. Probationers Baldock. Thompson, H. Gibbs and Brown have had their preliminary examination, being medically examined and are recommended for the first year of training. Sister Miller reported for duty on January 9, having had one week’s instruction at the Sanatorium as requested by Dr. Mclntyre. Sister Martin, T-oiiAvinsr Tutor Sister, reported for

duty on January 1, to fill the vacancy left by Sister Malone. Sister Fraser lias been granted annual leave. Sister Moffatt is due for leave when Sister Fraser returns. Nurse Taehen reported for duty after Sanatorium treatment. Nurse Campbell reported sick —warded. Sister Smidt has applied for six months’ leave of absence. Staff Nurse Taplin has accepted a position at New Plymouth. Nurse Walker reported back from sick leave, resigned. Trial Probationer Crooke, having completed her three months’ trial, did not wish to sign on, having received a call from another hospital. Nurse Clark resigned and failed to report for duty that afternoon. Nurse Mahoney submitted resignation. Nurse Bell resigned,.reason -given finds study too difficult. I would suggest that Nurses Taaffe and O’Connor be requested >to remain on the nursing staff until June. Nurse Adamson has not been recommended for training. Trial Probationers' Day and Pender have been called up for training. The cockroaches are becoming a menace in the Hospital, and as they have found their way into the various departments as well as the ward pantries, I recommend that some measures be taken for their extermination. The mattress racks supplied for thei airing of mattresses, pillows, and i blankets are hot satisfactory. I would much appreciate if the entire floor of the dinihg and "sitting rooms at the Nurses Home be stained and varnished, as only the new portion of the floors has been done. Regarding the maid’s day off: It has been found most inconvenient for the working of the ; wards and the Nurses’ Home without; extra relieving staff. I would suggest, the appointment of another relieving I maid —someone who could sleep at; home, -as we have.no accommodation} at the Old People’s Home. - ' • - • -The following sent flowers and gifts! for- Christmas: Mr. Burt, Ngahere, | Mrs. Oliver, Mrs. Kyle, Ahaura Wo-j men’s Institute, Greymouth Women’s' Institute and the Brownies sent toys,; hooks, and gifts for the children. Mrs' Carter cream for the Nurses’ Christ-1 mas dinner. The following Christina's gifts were sent to the Old People’s Home: lull’s. Hall, clothing, Mrs. O. McLean, books, Mesdames Southward, Weaver and Kitchingham, flowers, Dr.! McKay, flowers, and the Church As-! sembly, Christmas cakes. Medical Superintendent’s report: — Patients in at beginning of month,; Hospital, males 33, females 15; Old’ People’s Home, males 36, females 6. Patient admitted during month, hospital, males 82, females 57; Old Peo-; pie’s Home, males 2, females —. Patients dicharged during month, hospital, males 66, females 34; Old Peo-, pie’s Home, males 1,- females —. Patients died during month, hospital, males —/females —; Old People’s Home, males —, females 1. Patients remaining at end of nJKjnth, hospital, Males 49, females 38; Old People’s! Home, males 37, females 5. Radiological Department:— No. of In patients 46; No. of Out patients 36. No. of films 128, No. of exposures 154.

Patients who consulted Dr. Mclntyre on his visit on January 5, 1936: Old patients 18, new patients 10; Diagnosed T.B. 1, recommended for Sanatorium 1, Enquiries 1. Operating Theatre: General 41, Gynaecological 7, Orthopaedia 15, E.E.N.T. 35, Genito Urinary 4, Radium 2, total 104. Physiotherapy Department: Out patientsr treated 127, In patients 265, Ultra violet ray 8. Bacteriological Department:—ln patients 112, out patients 7, other hospitals 18, miscellaneous 14. Resignations:—Staff Nurse Taplin, Probationer K. Clarke, Probationer N. Walker, Probationer P. Crooke, Probationer R. Bell Sister G. Smidt, 'Nurse M’ Mahoney.

In reference to post mortems, the Department of Justice advised that the resolution passed at the December meeting of the Board is not legally enforceable, and asking that the instructions issued in this connection be modified. The West Coast Aero Club wrote asking the Board to nominate a team of two members to take part in the sulky race on Saturday, March 7. — No action taken. Andersons’ Ltd. advised that the boiler should be completed by February 25. The Director-General of Health wrote asking that the Board give programme of capital works its attention within the next three months. Director-General of Health advised that the Department did not consider a Hospital Almoner is required at Greymouth. Director-General of Health advised that the reduced payments from the Miners’ Medical Associations were apparently not justified. The Director-General of Health advised the approval of the Minister of Health to the Board’s incurring a bank overdraft not exceeding £4,000 to March 31. The Finance Committee’s report, which was approved, stated: It was decided to write the Loans’ Board ask-

ing approval for a higher rate of interest; a sub-committee consisting of Messrs Kent, Mosley, McTaggart and Mulcare, was set up to go into the question of capital expenditure, over five years; that a license be obtained for a radio set at the institution; that in connection with Medical Association’s agreement, the previous resolution of the Board be adhered to; that the Board write the Hospital Board’s Association and the Minister of Pensions urging them to give consideration to persons not long enough resident in New Zealand to draw the Old Age Pension. ORDINARY BUSINESS A letter of appreciation was received from J. I. MacArthur, who met with an accident at the racecourse on New Year’s Day.

For the Christmas cheer fund the following donations were received: — W. C. Justices of the Peace Assn. £B/16/6; Licensed Victuallers Assn. £5; Ogilvie and Co. £2/2/-; Preston and Sons, £2/2/-; Dental and Medical Supply Co. Ltd., £2/2/-; St. Vincent de Paul Society, £2/2/-; Anonymous, £2/2/-; Marshall , and Party £l/1/-; Greymouth R.S.A., £l/1/-; Mr. A. S. L. Armstrong, £l/1/-; R. and E. Tingey & Co. Ltd., £l/1/-; Roberts (N.Z. Ltd.) £l/1/-; Burns, Philp and . Co. Ltd., £l/1/-; H. F - Stevens Ltd., £l/1/-; Kempthorne Prosser and Co. Ltd., £l/1/-, J- RMcKenzie Ltd., £l/1/-; Mr. Walter Scott, £l/1/-’, Mr. W. Gittos £l/1/-; Trumans Ltd., £l/1/-; West Coast Farmers £1; Potter and Bilks Ltd., 10/6- D. M. Park Ltd., 10/6; Smith and Smith Ltd.. 10/-; Anonymous 10/-, J. Myers and Co., 10/-; Miss M. C. Craig 5/-. . . Gifts in kind were received from the following: Baillie, Neville and Co., Baty Bros., Riversdale Dairy, Mr. J. E. Robertson, Duncan McLean Ltd., P. Blanchfield and Sons, Mr. M. McDonnell, Westland Breweries Ltd., Ahaura Branch Women’s Institute, W. H. Boucher and Co., Mr. E. V. Arthur, Mi. r. Ford (Hokitika). Gage Bros. (Dobson), John Burns and Co., Ltd., Griffen and Smith Ltd., Boustridge and Hall. Whitcombe and Tombs. Accounts amounting to £1,937/15/5 were passed for payment, and accounts amounting to £4,701/10/6 were ratified.