HOSPITAL BOARD

Grey River Argus, 4 May 1935, Page 5

HOSPITAL BOARD

CRITICS ANSWERED Candidates at Blaketown Mrs Kate O'Brien and Messrs James Kyle and Jas. B. Kent, three of the sitting members seeking re-election to the Hospital Board, addressed a meeting of Blaketown electors last evenling. Mr J. McGirr presided, and there was an attendance of about forty electors.

The opening speaker, Mrs O’Brien, said that there had been a good deal of criticism, which came from a section of the people who had taken sides not with regard to tire hospital and its functioning, but simply with people working in the institution. These critics had forgotten the work the hospital was doing, which had gone on efficiently and well. Mr Turley had said it was sweating for two doctors to be doing the work of the hospital. lit. might be, but, nevertheless in the past, no doubt, someone had been going slow on the job. There certainly was greater efficiency now. Air Mosley had seen fit to introduce opinions or draw conclusions as to the Labour Party with reference to an allegation of victimisation. She would ask if there were anything wrong in what she stood for. In all her experiences on committees, she would ask if she had ever obtruded her political views on anyone. If there were any victimisation it would not be on th* side of industrialists. It would be, as indicated by Air Alosley's own expression, with the “ferrets" on ferreting. Mr Alosley had referred to Sister Braidwood, bacteriologist, but he was incorrect when he said that conditions were made most unpleasant for her and that she had resigned because the Board wished her to reside at the Nurses’ Home. She had, in fact, lived there for some time, but when her sister left, she had been allowed to go to her own home, and she had received a boarding allowance of £75. The funny part of it all was that Air Mosley himself had moved at a Board meeting that Aliss Braidwood be asked to live at the Nurses’ Home! Then he came on the public platform and stated something different. He had also said that her successor had resigned for the same reasons. That, was news to her (Mrs O’Brien), and it was wonderful how Mr Mosley “ferreted" that out. Another matter he had referred to was the resignation of the honorary medical staff. Surely he must have known quite well what the circumstances were from the correspondence and letters published. Air Turley said she had made out a great case for the Hous? Manager, but he had never attempted to show what she had said was incorrect. AH he had to complain about was with regard to some fowls, which she knew nothing about; but they: might have been some day-old chicks, which sat on a rail or roost, and crowed like Air Turley himself. There was no cool store at- the hospital, and to investigate the position it would probably be found that this was the trouble if the fowls went bad. The Health Department was looking into the matter of remodelling the kitchen block, and then, probably, they would be able to keep perishable goods. Before Air Turley stood up and spoke about his policy and what he would do, and cast reflections on othe r members, he should first consider the conduct of his own business. She thought he could, at least, pay same of his account to the Hospital Board, before he criticised other people. One could also take other business M' Turley had been connected with, in his racehorses and hotel. He did not tell the ratepayers about getting the timber workers’ account to the hospi tai written down, tell that he brought a bus to the hospital to take nurses to the opening of his hotel, or that he stood for “all-night’’ passes The Board wanted to make the hospital a place where mothers could send their daughters and make it a place that was at least safe! At the same time, they did not want to take away th* pleasures of nurses. The nurses were uot deprived of their pleasures, such as dances —far from it—but some people would have others believe they were deprived of all pleasures. Yet the line had to be drawn somewhere. Her aim was the efficiency and the well-being of the hospital and of the people connected with it. Her aim was efficiency with justice. (Applause).

Air Kent said that the figures submitted by him at his previous address could not be contradicted by Air Tur- ’ ley, although he might have tried to juggle with them. The Dominion averages proved that the Grey Hospital compared more _than favourably with any other hospital in the Dominion. He would like to comment on various statements made by some opponents, but decency forbade him. The Board bud certainly been silent, but anything done was only concerning the individual, who was punished, and that was the end of it. There was un- 1 questioned and unquestionable efiici- J ency at the institution to-day. Miss Lambie, a most trustworthy and strict | officer of the Health Department,, had | commented favourably on the im- 1 provement effected at the hospital, and , that was only in April. To quote her , own words was sufficient proof, as , follows:— “As far as the general standard of cleanliness and care is concerned, the Hospital is in good order, and is now in a better condition than 1 have seen it pre viously. ’ ’ Their opponents had indulged in vague personalities, and had not produced figures. Regarding the building programme, this was the right time to build, and the Health Department had approved of the proposals. The improvements to be effected would mean a distinct saving as the Board would have its own property, a children’s ward and a maternity ward, but one of their opponents was against such proposals. Interest was now low and building costs cheaper, and they should go ahead with it. The ■installation of a cool store would mean that they could buy in bulk quan tities and much cheaper. Another point raised by their opponents was the matter of dismissals and resignations. The first speaker at the Town Hall meeting has asserted there were dismissals at every meeting of the Board. In 1932-33, there were 22 dismissals or resignations; in 1933-34 there were 18; and in 1934-35 there were 18, plus three relieving; resigned 8. and dismissed or unsuitable for training 10. The Grey Board’s record in this respect was not as bad as any smaller hospitals with fewer beds. An-

other point was the number of patients. In April, 1934, there were 75 patients, and in April 1935 there were 78. Operations in April, 1934, wore 97, and in April. 1935, they totalled 100. From December, 1933, to January, 1934, 168 tons of coal were used at the hospital, whilst from December, 1934. to January, 1935, 72 tons of coal only were used. He thought it was realised the Board was doing a lot in cutting down unnecessary expenditure, and economising on behalf of the ratepayers. There had also been reference to sickness among the staff, but apart from one vase of toncolitis and two suspected cases of

T. 8., there was little sickness, and the selection of staff to-day was better than it was previously. At one stage, the Department of Health were considering cancelling the hospital as i 1 raining tfchoot but matters had been rectified. The trouble seemed to be a personal vendetta with certain individuals. and consequently the Board could not be popular. If lelurned. he was prepared to do his best ro have the diet scale at the 0.P.11.

reformed. He asked ratepayers not to be misled by any whispering campaign. He rather a fight, but

did not want to be hit below rhe Iwt. “Things done well and with a cuu exempt themselves from fear,” quoted Air Kent in conclusion, amidst

appmuse. Air Kyle said that one of the can didate had said the board had sack

ed the honorary doctors, and would nor have them back again. This was contrary to fact. Their then Medical Superintendent left them in a hole. His going away wa

leaving them in a hole over one weekend. He had left a note to say that if the hospital wanted a doctor, to ring Reef ton or Hokitika. It was then that the honorary doctors walked out on them. Fortunately, however, the Chairman got i R touch with the Health Department, and got a man relieving. The Board had Late’* written to the honoraay doctors, inviting them to a round table conference —and that letter had never been answered yet. The staff doctors of the institution were a credit to it. and as good as any in New Zealand. He was pleased to say the Children’s Ward was now nearing completion. At Rewa, there were two and three in one room and it was not in the best interests of health. The reason the three of them spoke together vas that they were recognised a§ old members and were being victimised (Applause).

Ct. Kent, who is also contesting a seat on the Power Board and Borough Council, said a candidate a* Cobden had asked something about ? ear. Well, the car referred to was a three seater Chevrolet. The Power Board had it for six years, and B was down, and graded in. One of the Board’s employees bought it from the Grev Alotors. Regarding the employees going home to meals in the Board's ear. he did nor know anything :’. nit that. The bus iness of the Power Board was quite considerable and it obtained £32, 204 from its domestic work last year. It was said the Boat*? was extravagent, but it had a reserve fund of £3236. were- no dnnbr. well acquainted with his activities in the Borough Council. He know the requirements of Blaket own and had endeavoured to further its claim on an even basis with other parts. The waterworks scheme which he had introduced had been put into effect on the Tinos suggested by him, although he had got little credit for it. If returned he would look after the interests of Blaketown and see that that locality got its due share. (Applause). Air McKane, a candidate for the Hospital Board, Power Board, and Borough Council, ab-o spoke on similar lines to his Cobden address the previous evening. There were two factions on the Hospital Board. He did not wish to take sides, but if returned would investigate for him self and find out the position. Th er* had been a considerable improvement effected at the hospital. He could honestlv say this, as he was a con stant visitor, and made enquiries. On every occasion he found that patients were well eared for and well treat ed. If returned, his first carp would bn for the sick and needy. The hospital levy had gone up and there fore there should be very h : gh ef firency. The Power Board was something new to him- and he was Thankful to Air. Kent for his remarks abou* ‘•he motor car. However, he did say it was a rumour and he had only gon* into the matter to find if it w»i« true. The Power Board was a con corn requiring careful admistrntion. It was going through a boom period and he asked what would happen ,4 * t slumped, such as regards gold mining, He had no grouch with the 'past Borough Council, hut there wore other works to-day that required be carried out and he would, if elected, do his best in this respect. There was so much work to he caught up. Unemployment was a vital quo.” Mon. and hp outlined his scheme ns at the Cobden meeting. If Bink ll town wanted a sewerage system it would have to push for it through its Ratepayers’ Association. He suggested to residents to petition fn--1 the necessary sewerage which ! would receive his support. Tie though I that bv the flat water rate the Po r nugh Council was getting revenue in a manner it should not h< The I water works should Tint ho run at a as thev >w*ro. Tin thanked the fh.rpp previous speakers for sl]nw : ng •him the opportunity to speak (An

Air Fllptv said he had noticed the Hospital Board expenditure had hppn reduced, and asked wkv it was the levy had never been reduced. Air Kent replied that the hosnita’ was no monev making concern. The more business it did. the more it cost, and there was always a loss with public hospitals. They were levied, not on a population basis, but on capital value. They had had a re-valuation some vears ago. and the valuations had almost been doubled. The average occupied beds for the Domwion hospitals in proportion to population was as four to seven compared with Grev I Hospital. No doubt on account of the dangerous trades here. Health was i national matter and the Labour Partv considered the costs of upkeep and health maintenance should be spread throughout the whole of New Zealand. Air Ahern, senr. asked if the Borough Council could abate the nuisance caused by the rubbish dump, known as the frog pond. Only lately a lot of paper had been deposited there, and it was an annoyance, the paper blowing all over the street. It was great when a private letter sent to 3ZR wa< picked up at one’s front door. It was a pity people did not destroy paper instead of sending it over to Blake, town. Ashes and other rubbish which could fill in over the top was dumped at Victoria Park. Air McKane said the Council was