WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 February 1937, Page 12

WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING.

[our own correspondent.!

HOKITIKA , February 15.

The Westland Hospital Board met to-day. Present: Messrs T. W. Duff (chairman), A. R. Elcock, N. H. Brown, W. A. Jamieson, E. W. Heenan, J. A. Murdoch, W. H. Evenden, E. L. Bark, and H. T. Parry. -Accounts amounting to £1237/14/8 were passed for payment. It was reported that Dr. Herbeit Greenwood had commenced duties as medical officer at Kumara on FebruWardsman G. Small applied for 12 months’ leave of absence—Granted. Head' Gardener J. Key applied for annual leave. —Granted. The Chairman was appointed as the Board’s delegate to the Hospital Boards’ Conference. The Secretary, Mr F. McCabe, is to attend the Hospital Secretaries’ Conference. The South Westland Medical Association and Public Works Department wrote regarding hospital treatment ol P.W.D. employees. —The matter was held over until the result of the conference suggested by the Minister is reported to the Board. Also, to write to the Minister of Public Works reminding him of his discussion wi h the Chairman and Mr Brown at M ellirigton and his' promise on that occasion. The financial statement showed receipts for January £1650/1/4 and expenditure £1628/3/3. The Medical Superintendent’s report stated: —Remaining in hospital on 31/12/36, 54; admitted during the month, . 86; treated during the month 140; remaining on 31/1/37, 75; average occupied beds for the month, to. The Engineer’s report stated: Repairs carried out during the month: Taps in -Manson and Ellis Wards, Manson Ward sluice room, basin, lights Manson Ward side-room, Ellis Ward, diathermy heater, food containers, steriliser Mandi Ward, cupboard door in kitchen, bed frames, dust tray wards. Isolation Block: Repairs to steriliser, lights, taps (bathroom). Old Men’s Home: Repaired fire grate. Old Women’s Home : New taps fitted to bath. Laundry: Repairs to lights. Piping steam: Repairs to line Ellis Ward kitchen, and kitchen steaming. Repaired hot water line Old Women’s Home. The Matron’s report stated: The month proved very busy, the highest number of occupied beds on any one day being 90 and the lowest 54. Average for the month was 73, number of X-rays 100, screenings 3, electrical and massage treatments 144, and operations 36. Staff changes: Appointment to be confirmed, Miss V. Clausen recommenced duties after extended leave of absence on 3/1/37; Miss Kathleen Fairhall ‘commenced duties as a probationer on 1/1/37, replacing Misses Neville and Traue, resigned. Holidays: Miss Lindop fourth year, Miss Johnson second year, and Miss White. Holidays due: Misses M. E. Anderson, Pickering, Inder, M. Rqdgers and McNamara). Domestic staff changes: Mr G. Small, annual leave, relieved' by Mr Lynn. Holidays due to Miss R. Hamilton (cook), Miss M. Hunter (assistant cook) and Miss R. Mason. Owing to the large increase in the number of patients, accommodation was severely taxed, even the lecture room and the porter’s quarters having to be commandeered (the wardspian being temporarily housed at the Old People’s Home). Due to the admission of five cases to the infectious 1 diseases block, the nursing staff housed in this department had to be transferred to the hall, which was partitioned off into cubicles. There are at present ten nurses living in the hall, to which hot water hacf to be laid on from the kitchen. During the peak of our busy period last month we would have been seriously handicapped had we not been able to borrow beds and mattresses from the Mental Hospital Department. I wish -to place on record my appreciation oi their ready assistance. Nurses’ examinations: State final—Of the five candidates who sat for this examination from our hospital, three were successful. First year anatomy and physiology: Five nurses sat for this examination, and all were successful. Dr. Childs undertook to conduct -this examination for us. Cooking class: As soon as the Technical College reopens, it will be necessary to arrange a complete class of twelve nurses to undergo a course of dietetics and invalid cookery.