GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1938, Page 2

GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING HELD. The Grey Hospital Board held its monthly meeting- last evening; present: Messrs. H. G. Carter (chairman), J. Smeaton, A. Robinson, R. McTaggart, O. C. Joyce. A. Mosley, J. Laing, A. H. McKano. J. B. Kent, and J. l\ln lea re. The Director-General of Health, writing as Chairman of the Dr. Ada Paterson Memorial Fund, advised that the work, done by the late doctor, especially in promoting the health and general welfare of children, should be recognised in some permanent form, and soliciting subscriptions towards the establishment of some tangible memorial. —On the motion of Mr. Smeaton, a grant of C2/2/- was made. In connection with the proposal to name the new wards. ‘ - J. W. Hannan” and “J. O’Brien." two letters were received. l\lr. O’Brien, after expressing appreciation of the Board’s decision, said that he was afraid he was unworthy of such distinguished mention. and suggested that the honour be conferred upon someone more worthy. He suggested Mr. 11. E. Holland. whose work he stated, was never recognised while ho was alive; or Dr. J. W. Mcßrearty. who gave a lifetime of useful service to the town and district. Air. Hannan wrote, thanking the Board for its tribute, but pointing out the possibility of inconvenience in the working of the hospital, if there were two Hannan Wards. It was decided to discuss the letters in committee. The report, of the committee which represented the Board at a conference of AVost Coast Hospital Boards, in connection with tut industrial award for employees, was received. It was stated that the Buller and Inangahua Boards had approved the proposed agreement, but that a reply had not yet been received from the Westland Board. Mr. McKane suggested that the proposals he forwarded to the Union, for consideration. If the Westland Board were going to "dilly-dally” too long, the matter would be held up. An increase in pay would have to be retro spective. Mr. Smeaton said that delay would be unfair to rhe Union, which had been working to get the matter finalised. He would he in favour of retrospective pay, in the case of an increase.

Mr. Mosley moved that the Board approve the proposals arrived at by the ,i >int conference. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Joyce. ;.nd approved.

Mr. AlcKane moved that, failing an agreement being reached with the Union, the secretary communicate with the other West Coast. Boards, with a view to appointing a delegate to attend the group conference to be held at AVellington on August 30. with a view to arranging for a Dominion award. The resolution was approved.

Mr. Smeaton said he did not wish his remarks to be regarded as a complaint. but ho did not consider the light erected on the street, to indicate the hospital entrance, was very plainly to be seen at night-time. He thought that it would have been in red. The light was also too high up, and strangers would have difficulty in recognising 7 the hospital. Mr. Kent said he had not seen the light, yet! Mr. Mosley agreed that it was certainly not what the Board had wished, so far as indicating the hospital was concerned. Mr. Kent suggested that the globe should bo rod. with the word “Hospital'’ in white letters. In present circumstances, said Mr. Smeaton. strangers might miss the hospital entrance, and this would probably be serious, in eases of emergency. On the suggestion of Mr. Laing, the matter was referred to Mr. Kent, to interview the Engineer of the Grey Power Board, with a view to having an improvement effected. NURSES’ HOME The House Manager (Mr. A. Fraser) reported as follows:—The purchase of requirements for the Nurses’ Home was completed on the Bth instant. Quotations for supplies were called in two sections. One comprised furnishings and the other household linen, betiding, floor covering:;. For the first section eight local firms were, approached for quotes; six replies were received, and orders were placed as follow:—Bedsteads. G. Schaef and Sons; mattresses. G. Schaef and Sons; chairs. H. E. Traill; tables. H. E. Traill. Ten retail and six wholesale firms, all local, were invited to quote for the second section, and eleven quotes were received, including five from retail firms. After the quotes had been scheduled and compared, orders were placed as follow:—Blankets (coloured). Kaiapoi Woollen Co.; Blankets (white). Wellington Woollen Co.; cases, pillow. Sargood Son and Ewen; covering, corridor floors. Para Rubber Co.: rugs, floor, Sargood Son and Fwen: sheets, bed. Ross and Glendining. All authorised purchases, with the exception of the floor covering for corridors and window curtains, have been deliv-

ered, and when the final payment.; have been made the total cost will be £478/11/10. distributed as follows. Para Rubber Co. C137/G/8. H. Traill £79/4/-. Wellington Woollen Co. £7l 10/9, Sargood Son and Ewen CGG/G/i'. Schaof and Son CG6/R/S. Ross and Glendinning £4O/4/8, Kaiapoi Woollen Co. £l7/15/11: total C 178/11/10. FINANCE COMMITTEE The Finance Committee, which met , on Monday evening, submitted the following report and recommendations, which wore adopted: Thai accounts amounting to C 1.025 2/7 bo passed for payment, and that accounts paid amounting to C 1.8,85 19/2 be ratified. That the Board’s oftlce be made available as a polling-place for the General Election, in accords nee with (lie request of the Registrar of Electors.

Tito Hospital Boards’ Association advised it is the opinion of the Chairman of the Association (hat the proposed conference of Hospital Boards on the Health Insurance Bill would be better held when regulations are being drafted. —Filed for reference. The Panama Coal Company advised that, for a contract, of 12 months, price for No. 2 seam coal would be 17/- per ton, f.o.r. Roa. —That the House Manager. secretary, and Engineer draw up a suitable specification, and that tenders be called for steam coal. Gasparini Bros, forwarded a quote of C2/10/- per square yard for Terrazzo flooring.—Filed for reference. I) E PAR T M ENT A L REPORTS The following departmental reports were adopted: — Medical Superintendent; In al the

beginning of month: Hospital 58 males, 32 females; Old People’s Home 37 males, four females. Admitted: Hospital 72 males, 42 females; Old People’s Home two males. Discharged: Hospital 64 males, 39 females. Died: Hospital 7 males, two females. Remaining at end of month: Hospital 47 males. 33 females: Old People's Home 39 males, four females. Operating Theatre: General 38. orthopaedic 6. dental 0. E.R.N.T. 1. radiological Department: Out patients 35. in patients 30: films 94. exposures 119. screenings live. Phvsiotherapv Department: Inpatients treated 290, out-patients treated 166. Ultra Violet Ray 26. Bacteriological Department: Inpatients examinations 190. outpatients’ examinations 63. other hospitals 12. miscellaneous IS. Maternity Hospital: Admission 34. discharges'3s. births 33. remaining patients 16. infants 16. The Alatron (Aliss Moffatt) report--3d as follows: During my 1 visited the Palmerston North and Napier Hospitals. Following are some □f the things I particularly noticed which might be of use in our own Hospital:—Palmerston North (daily average beds 198.25). Separate offices for each departmental officer in the fine administration block. Telephone exchange and lighting similar to that in use in Nelson. Telephone exchange automatic, worked by small switches in each ward. Lighting low in corridors and passages. Flooring: rubber in administration block and in some wards. The Alatron, Miss Banks, states that this is very satisfactory both from the point of view of cleanliness and safety. The. Matron is to be thanked for the report, and it was filed for reference. HOSPITAL COAIAIITTEE. A meeting of the Hospital Commit' tee was held on Alonday evening, all Board members being present, with Mr Mosley as Chairman. The report and recommendations of the Committee were adopted, as follow: That, approval be given for the employment of an extra maid tor the new Nurses' Home Block. The secretary. Committee of Inquiry into Maternity Services, forwarded full report: That the report be received, and that the recommendations regarding maternity services in the Grey Hospital be discussed on the completion of the new Maternity Ward.

The secretary. Nurses’ and Midwives’ Registration Board, forwarded the suggested curriculum necessitated by the institution of the preliminary- State examination for pupil nurses. —Thar the suggested curriculum be approved, and the contents notified to the Matron. The Director-General of Health advised that an outline of a proposed scheme for the training of nursing aides has now been formulated, and enclosing copy.—That the Board express its approval of the scheme, no comment being necessary on the vari ous proposals. VISITING COMMITTEE. The Visiting Committee (Messrs Smeaton, Laing’ and Mosley) reported that the monthly visit of inspection was made on August. 2, and that everything appeared to be in order. Owing to being unable to obtain the ground plan from the Health Department, of the T.B. Block, nothing can be done regarding the extension of Hannan Ward verandah meantime, as; it is essential that the exact location of the above Block should be ascertained before such extension is proceeded with. A further request to return the plan has boon sent forward. The Matron of Hie Old Bennie's

Home has asked to he supplied with a. machine for polishing the floors of that Institution, and the House' Manager has been asked to obtain information as to prices for the information of the Board. To enable the new wing to be linked up with the existing buildings; the Main Hospital entrance' has had io be temporaril.v closed and a. temporaryi entrance is being used on the eastern, side, about, half-way along the main corridor. This is somewhat inconvenient to the staff and public, but cannot lie avoided for the time being. Some time ago the Board directed that ilie ambulance have appropriate signs painted thereon, but so far n has not been possible io have this attended to. Il is desirable that, this 1 be dem- at the earliest opportunity. Arising out of the report, the Hospital Committee made the following recommendations. which were adopted: That the Medical Superintendent. Resident Physician and Secretary go into the question of a site other than in the Hospital grounds for the tuberculosis block, a. report, to be submitted to the September meeting. That: the House Manager be empowered to purchase a. polishing machine at a cost of £l7. for the Old People’s Home. That, the Medical Superintended: and Secretary confer on the matter for arranging appointments for outpatients'’ and that any scheme decided upon he suitably advertised. Messrs McTaggart. and Mc.Kane wore appointed a, Visiting Committee for the ensuing month.

DIRECTOR-GENERAL’S REPORT ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS The Director-General of Health forwarded the following report. on suggested alterations and additions af the hospital: —

With reference to the visit of Mr. .Johnson to Greymoinh on June 10. the manors placed before him on that, occasion have boon considered, and (ho following is forwarded for your information: - Ante-Natal Block: The amended plan of this block, which was approved by your Medical Superintendent, has boon stibmitred to the Public Works. Department io arrange for lho com ram for the work to bo proceeded with. Nurses’ Homo Kitchen: A sketch plan ol the suggested alteration to enlarge the present kitchen is attached. 'lhis addition will not involve any structural alteration, and the roof can be arranged as a flat. The hotpress and carving table will have doors on both sides, and will lie suflicii nt to enable both food and dishes to be kept hot. The approximate cost, of ;t lift, hot-press carving table ’s

about C 100. Resjjardinsx the. conveyance of food from the main kitchen. I am enclosing a catalogue of the Hol Lock Trollies, together with the price list.

Sisters’ Sitting Room, Ist. Floor: The enlargement of this room can be. readily undertaken by removing some of the present wooded partitions. This work is shown on the attached sketch plan. Nurses’ Laundry: The present laun-

dry can be made more convenient by taking out the small cast-iron, independent boiler and hot-water cylinder, and providing a small copper with a steam coil, and placing it at the side of the washing tubs. The drying cabinet should be a twotier type with racks for hanging small articles on. It should be steam-heat-ed and have a small fan to circulate the hot. air, so that articles are dried in a very short time.

Alain Laundry: The present plant in this laundry will not be large enough efficiently to deal with the increased amount of laundry work when the new ward block and tuberculosis ward are completed. A sketch plan is attached showing a. suggested layout. for a laundry suitable for dealing with the present, and future requirements. The space allotted for the washers and hydro-extractors is sufficient to enable larger machines to replace those shown on the plan. The drying horses with an efficient dryer will be capable of quickly drying the whole of the laundry work without resorting to outside drying. To enable you to carry on without resorting to the suggested extensions, it will be necessary to provide for the existing beds, together with new ward and tuberculosis block, totalling 150 beds, by providing another washer 34 x 54, and a 26-inch hydro-extractor. The present, drying rooms require to be made air-tight to prevent dust having access to the clothes. The ironing machines should be made more efficient and save steam by properly insulating the bottom of the bed of the roller, and covering the insulation with a metal sheathing. The exhaust steam from the engine which drives the laundry machinery should be utilised by passing into a storage tank of about 200 gallons capacity and using the hot water for the washers. Engine Room: The extension of the boiler house as shown on the plan is to form an engine room which it is considered will be required when the kitchen block is enlarged. It. will be necessary to remove the present calorifier room, which is in a very cramped position and not suitable fcr the purpose. The. calorifiers and cylinders will then require to be removed and installed in the engine room, and the system of hoi water and heating to be changed to forced circulating systems. Alterations to Sanitary Blocks: The suggestions put forward by the Afedical Superintendent, and Matron have been incorporated in the sketches attached. It is considered advisable to remodel the Petrie AVard on the same lines as suggested for the Victoria AVard. and this work is shown on the plan. Lecture and Demonstration Room. The Lecture Room as arranged in the additions to the Nurses’ Home is considered to he too small to be formed into a combined lecture and demonstration room and should therefore be used only for lecture purposes. The demonstration rooms will therefore have to be held over until a suitable room can be arranged. Hot Water Urns: The pairing up of the hot and cold sterile water urns was discussed with Mercer and Sons in Christchurch, and it was arranged that the urns would be made suitable for the position.

Trenches and Steam Mains: The misunderstanding which has occurred regarding the providing of concrete ' trenches and steam mains to the • Nurses’ Home and the New Ward Block is due no doubt to the arrangements suggested by Mr. Johnson when he visited your hospital on August 10, 19!»5, when, the matter was discussed with Mr. McTaggart. and your Engineer. It was understood that after the new boilers had been installed your Engineer would arrange for a trench and steam main to he laid to the Nurses’ Home in order that a hot-press and other improvements could he provided for this building. This was considered advisable and was arranged so that the new building contract for the new surgical and maternity ward would not encroach on any engineering work outside the buildings. This apparently was not carried out, and it is now necessary for your Board to arrange for this work to be completed in order that steam will be available when the contract for the building is finished. Gas Services: No provision was made, in the contract for laying on of gas services to the stoves in the duty rooms. This, is I understand, being carried out by the present contractor. and will be an extra to the contract. It was decided that the report be held over, to be perused by members, and discussed at a special meeting to be. arranged. f T.B. BLOCK The Director-General of Health advised that final approval has boon given to the amended plans for the T.B. Block. He stated uiat the amendments asked for by the Health and Public Works Department have been incorporated. The secretary said that it would be necessaiw to call for tenders, and then apply for Ministerial consent to the expenditure. Mr. Mosley asked whether if. would not be necessary to decide on the site first. A resolution was previously passed, said the. secretary, ro the effect that, when the plans were amended, the people who submitted tenders previously should be notified, and asko 1 to submit amended prices. The Chairman said that the previous resolution appeared lo cover the matter. There might bo an alteration in the silo, however, and that might effect the foundations required. li was decided to secure a report, from iho medical staff, and to discuss | ihe matter at. the proposed special meeting.