GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 October 1945, Page 3

GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING’ The monthly meeting of the Grey Hospital Board was held last evening, present being Mr. F.- Oakley (chairman), Mrs. .D. M. Parfitt, Messrs W. Gutberlet, W. Fisher, J. B. Kent, J. F. Laing, A. Mosley, T. P. Ryan, R. Clark and H. G. Carter. Accounts amounting to £7637/18/6 were ratified. ' The resignation of Mr. J. Mulcare as a member of the Board was accepted with regret, and the Chairman extended a welcome to his successor, Mr. Clark. The Director General of Health advised that a week’s refresher course would be held for Tutor Sisters during the second week in November and requested that instructional staff of the Grey Hospital be allowed to attend. —It was reported that the Medical Superintendent and the Matron of the Maternity Annexe had nominated Sister Hughes and Sister Minehan. It was decided that Sisters Minehan and Hughes attend the course. The Director General also advised that the North Canterbury Hospital Board had inaugurated six months’ course in plastic nursing for staff nurses, leave to be granted without pay to any nurse desiring to take the course.—This was left to the Superintendent and Matron with power to act. An application by Miss V. A. Dawes for the position of Home Sister was approved. . The District Manpower Office advised of an extension of the authority to employ two men under Scheme 13 for a further 13 weeks. The Wellington Hospital Board wrote outlining their policy regarding reciprocal agreements and the treatment of specialist cases.—lt was decided to reciprocate with the Wellington Board with agreements under the Sections.

The Secretary (Mr. J. E. A. McKeefry) reported that with the addition of Mcßrearty, O’Brien and Saltzman Wards and the Nurses’ Home to the steam supply for heating purposes, the one automatic stoker had to be run “full bore” to keep up the pressure. This resulted in a very heavy (increase in the volume of smoke, and was uneconomical as the draft had to be stopped up and the coal was not properly consumed. Another stoker was required so that the steam capacity could be held without the heavy forcing that had now to be done with only one boiler in commission.—lt was decided to purchase a new automatic stoker to obviate the smoke nuisance in the southern end of the town. Messrs J. M. Bunt & Co., gave notice of the termination of the lease of the property in Joyce Crescent oceupied by Dr. Barclay. The Secretary said that advertisements had brought only one reply—and that concerning a property in Cobden which would not be suitable. Messrs J. H. Francis & Co. advised that it was in a position to obtain large sums of money for Hospital Board loans, probably at 3y per cent either on a table basis, or by equal half-yearly redemptions of capital plus interest. Other information pertaining to the proposed loan was also forwarded. It was decided that the information be tabled for the information of Board members. It was also resolved that two houses for the medical staff be gone on with immediately, plans and specifications to be obtained and the Secretary to endeavour to arrange more equitable finance.

COMMITTEE REPORT. I The Hospital Committee recommended:—That the tennis court i'n the hospital grounds be put in order and maintained by the Board as early as possible. i . m . Seddon War annexe extensions: 1 he contractor reported to the Committee that this work is held. up owing to the impossibility of securing further supplies of Gibraltar Board, as specified. As he considers it may be several months before supplies are available, he has asked permission to use T. & G. match lining for the interior in heu of the Gibraltar Board. Owing to the urgency of the work and with the approval of the Medical Superintendent, the Committee authorised the use of match lining to enable the job to be finalised without further delay. The Board’s approval to the action of the 'Committee is sought. Children’s Ward: Sister Henderson of this ward is to be-congratulated on her efforts to rmake the environment interesting for the children by the many sketches and paintings she has put around the interior to amuse those under her care. We hope .she will continue her good work. . Old Peoples’ Home: The carpet m .the Matron’s sitting room, is worn out and the purchase of another carpet is recommended. Mcßrearty Ward: The Committee suggests that the whole Board inspect the bath rooms and sluice rooms of this Ward on Tuesday night. The report was adopted with exception of that, concerning the tennis courts. , . It was decided that the time was not suitable for a visit to the Mcßrearty Annexe and that the visit be made iat er - 1 ■■ j. Mr. Carter gave notice of his intention to move at the next meeting that the resolution concerning the tennis courts be rescinded. and the Board undertake to maintain and keep the courts in repair.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT The Medical Superintendent (Dr. D M. Logan) reported as follows: — Statistical: Sept.: Patients remaining end of August, males 64, females 46) O.P.H. males 25, females one. Patients admitted during the month males 98, females 61; O.P.H. male 1. Patients discharged during the month, .males 95, females 61; O.P.H. males 2. Patients died during the montn, males four, females one. Patients remaining end of September, maips 63, lemaito 45; O.P.H. males 25, females one. Physiotherapy Department: Outpatients 214; in-patients 119; U.V.L. 25. Operating Theatre: General 86, orthopaedic 14, E.N.E.T. 15, dental four. Bacteriological Department: Hospital Exam 259, O.P.D. 37, other hospital 15, miscellaneous 17. McBrearty Annexe: Patients remaining end of August (mothers 21, babies 21) 42. Patients admitted during the month 37. Confinements 37. Babies born (one set. twins) 38. Remaining end of September (mother 20, babies 19) 39. Ante Natal attendances 113. The Bring and Buy for the Nurses’ piano resulted in £lOO profit and there are still some outstanding donations. I would like to thank all those who helped both by working and sending donations to make this success possible. Mr. Ford has promised to procure the piano, also a wireless for the sisters. Sister C. Hay-McKenzie, Theatre Sister has commenced duty.