GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

Grey River Argus, 25 May 1935, Page 6

GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING HELD. At the first meeting of ithe Grey Hospital Board since the recent* Municipal and Local Body Elections, there were present: Messrs R. McTaggart (Ch:rvman), J. B. Kent b J. Mulcare, A. Mosley, F. L. Turley, A. Robinson, F. Boustirigci, A. H. McKane, J. Smeaton and 11. G. Carter. The Chairman said he wished to take the opportunity of welcoming "back the old members and also of welcoming the new members .He felt i that great (things could be achieved by the Board. Mr Robinson had previously served on the Board, whilst Messrs McKane, Smcaton and Boustridge had had other experience on other local bodies, and he felt that they would render good service. There had been more feeling than previously on the recent local body elections, but he left that good would come out of it. The Chairman said he would request that, • f any Board member felt there was anything wrong, he should, before voicing the matter at the Board table, got first into touch with the Depart, mental officers,, and have the position looked into. He only asked that in fairness to persons who otherwise might be unjustly criticised. Mr Robinson said he would endeavour to carry out his duties on the Board as .he had done in the past. Mr McKane said he hoped to do his best in the interests of the institution. A point that he would insist on was that questions should be answered in a reasonable manner.

Mr Smcaton said that if the Board pulled together, they would be able to advance the institution as it should be, and that was his intention in coming on to the Board. Mr Boustridge said that four years ago that evening he had been carried into the institution in a parlous con dition. He was now pleased to be able to sit at the Board table and serve. He would do what was right in the in terests of the patients, staff and the institution in general.

The Chairman said the first business was xbat of appointing Finance and Hospital Committees. Mr Turley asked what was the po?i lion in regard to the Chairmanship. 1. was a new Board. He took it that, at some time or other, all of them ha.i ceased to be members. The Chairman said that he wished to say in reply to Mr Turley that he was the Chairman for another twelve months, under the by-laws Mr Turley. If you rule that way. J am going ito move a motion. Mr Kent raised a point of order. The Chairman: I have been elected for two years, and will not take your resolution.

Mr Turley: You refuse to take a re solution?

The Chairman: Certainly, when J know I am right. If you look up ithe by-laws you will see 1 am right. ‘Mr Turley said there was nothing laid down. It was a matter of opinion. However, if the Chairman refused to take a resolution, it was alrigtut. Mr Turley moved that the Finance Committee consist of Messrs Mosley Turley, Boustridge, McKane, Smeaton and Mulcare. The Chairman said the by-laws pro vided for noit fewer than three and not more than six members.

Mr Mosley seconded Mr Turley’s motion.

Mr Carter said he would like to see the full Board a Finance Committee, if they could get away from the by-law. In reply to a question, (the Managing Secretary stated that the Regulation was one set down by the Board. Il could be waived by a unanimous vo»t-3 of the Board. Mr Kent moved the whole Board comprise the Finance Committee. Every member,, he said, should be conversant with the finances of the Board. Mr Mulcare seconded Mr Kent’s motion.

Mr SmeaJton spoke in support of Mr Kent’s motion, stating that all members should be conversant with finance matters.

On the unanimous vo-te of 'the Board, the regulation governing the position was then suspended and the full Board was elected a Finance Committee.

The Chairman moved that the full Board also function as the Hospital Committee, at which;, he stated, the Matron and Medical! Superintendent attended, their reports were read., and any questions asked and answered. The Hospital Committee dealt with departmental administrative matters and made its recommendations <to the Board.

Mr Mosley said he would oppose the Hospital Committee being comprised of the full Board. The Chairman’s motion was second ed by Mr Mulcare and put to the meeting, ithe motion being that the standing orders be suspended, and that the full Board comprise the Hospital Committee. Mr Mosley said he would move an amendment. Mr Turley said that an amendment was not necessary, <the Board requiring to be unanimous. Mr Turley said he considered the full Board comprising ’the Hospital Committee would be too unweildly. Mr Turley moved that the Hospital Committee comprise Messrs Boustridge, Smeaton, Mosley, McKane*, Mulcare and Turley. Mr Mosley seconded the resolution. Mr Kent: Read it again! Mr Turley read the (names over,, and Mr Kent remarked: 1 ‘That is the same as you read for the Finance Committee. That means you have left out Messrs Robinson, Carter and Kent.” Mr Kent moved that the Committee comprise Messrs Boustrige, Robinson, McKanq, Carter and Mulcare. Mr Carter declined nomination. Mr Kent then added ihis own name to the list. i The amendment then went to a division, the voting being:—For: Messrs Mulcare, McKane, Kent and the Chairman.; against: Messrs Smeaton, Robinson, Mosley, Turley and Boustridge. Mr Carter did not record his vote. He stated that he thought the Committee should consist of the full Board. Discussion ensued as to the procedure to be adopted with regard to the Committees. The Hospital Committee then went into committee. The three remaining members of the Boards Messrs Kent Carter and Robinson retired. After a brief interval, the three members were •invited to return to the Board room and did so. Votes of appreciation were passed to Mrs K. O’Brien and • Messrs J. Kyle and A. Donnellan, former members of the Board, for their services. I REPORTS. I The Medical Superintendent;, Dr. W.

C. Bridgman reported:—Patients in at beginning of month hospital 40 males, 36 females. Old People’s Home 35 males, 5 females; patients admitted ! during the month, hospital 58 males,36 females, O.P.H. 1 1 female; I patients discharged during month ! hospital 51 males, 37 females; patients j died during month 2 females; patients j remaining at end of month, hospital 47 males, 33 females, 0.P.H., 36 males, 6 feinaiCcJ. Radiographic Department: In patients treated 55; out patients treated 23; total number of films used 114; total number of exposures 137. Bacteriological Department: Specimens examined from: In patients 94; our patients 13; staff 4; private practitioners 8; Westland Hospital 1; Buller Hospital 1; thcati,; (catgut) 11; total 132. Physiotherapy Department; In patients treated 2'01; out patients trued 231; ultra violet ray 45. Operating theatre. General 39; genito urinary 9; gynaecological 5; orthopaedic 14, ear, eye ( . nose, throat, dental 33; total 100. Cases seen by Dr. Mclntyre: New 7; old 11; diagnosed T.B. 3: enquiries 1; recommended to Sanitarium The Matron (Miss Sullivan) ren.rt ~,d-—The following iouers ha* e been medically examined. nav3 passed the preliminary examination au-1 arc reecn.mended for the first year of I’-ai’di g; Nurses Adamson. Marine’s, Retemeyer, and Campbell. Staff Nurses Heller and Millar have been called to take their maternity and mid-wifery mining in Nelson and Christchurch. Slaf Nurse Bathgate hi< accept-*:! a call to Lewisham Hospital. Sister r<, uugh submitted her res*gnation on 12t’i Apiil. Sister Bur«<e ceased da:;, on 3rd May. Staff Nurse Porter commenced duty as* Staff Nurse in the theatre. Nurses Johanson and Petrie resumed duty after annual leave. Nurses Retemeyer and Williams have been off duty for sick leave during the month. Domestic staff; The following have reported for duty after annual leave; Misses Maddison, Auld. I. Bell and A. McDonald. Indoor Porter Pratt reported for duty on 6th May after three months! sick leave. I wish to acknowledge -the receipt of 6s donation to the nurses of Hannan Ward by a patient. The nurses wish this sum to be added to the existing Radio Fund and are anxious to know how soon the radio can be installed. I have drawn up a diet scale for the nurses home and submit it for your approval. J have to asknowledge gifts from the following:—Mrs L. Schaef, Mrs MelLum and Mrs Davis,. Easter eggs for patients and staff from the Salvation army; chocolate Easter egg!-! for ith» children in the hospital from Mrs Behan. fruit salad for 0.P.H.. from the Marist Old Boy’s dance, children’s garments from Mrs Bower, and flowers from an anonymous donor. The Matron Rewa Hospital, reported.—Admissions 24, births 23, dis charges 2;\ remaining 10 patients, remaining infants 9. The Managing-Secretary (Mr J. E. A. McKeefry) submitted the follow ing statement of receipts and pay wonts for April, 1935: Roeeipts.1/4/35 cash in bank £1223 17s Bd, patients’ fees £616 2s Id, ol<l apo pensions £99 4s 2d. rent £4. miscellaneous receipts C 7 Ils 7d, to balance £5lO (Is Id; total £2461 1< lOd. Payments.— Provisions £385 16s lOd surgery an 1 dispensary £39 12s 6d, domestic £162 Ils Id, establishment £202 Ils 4d. sal aries and wages £963 0s 3d. admin stration £lB6 0s 9d, charitable aid £146 10<s Id, other institutions £146 19s, capital buildings £228; total £2461 Is lOd. Reconciliation statement: Cash aft bank 31/3/35 £1223 17s Rd. receipts £726 IRs Id; total £1950 15s 9d; payments £2461 Is lOd. overdraft. £5lO 6s Id; pass book overdraft £lB7 6s lid, phis outstanding cheques £326 18 s 8d; Intal £514 5s 7d; loss deposit no 1 in pass book (£3 19s 6dl £5lO 6s Id..

The Star of the West (Druids) Lodge, Greymouth, wrote notifying acceptance of a proposed agreement between the Hospital Board and their Lodge. The agreement was ratified by the Board, subject to the approval of the Director-General of Health.

It was decided that further enquiries ke made from other hospitals, regarding the quotation for tilting X-ray tables.