GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

Grey River Argus, 15 December 1937, Page 10

GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING i At the orcunary meeting of the Grey Hospital Board last evening tnere were present, Messrs J. Smeaton icnairman), J. B. irnnt, J. Muicare, H. G. Carter, A. Kooinson, A. Mosley, F. noustricige, A. H. MciVaiie, J. Kyle and R. McTaggart. Tne secretary of the district Granu Masonic Lodge of Westland wrote staling that to commemorate the silver juoiiee of K.W. Bro. Jesse Steer as restrict Grand Master of 'Testland and I'Jeison District Masonic Lodges, his golden jubilee of a Freemason and me diamond jubilee oi rhoenix Lodge, at vv esiporc, Keefton, ureymouth and Hokitika, the *-<ouges under his jurisdiction decided to present to the hospitals at Takaka, Melson, Westport, Keelton, Greymouth and Hokitika, a cot for the children’s ward at each of these institutions. The presentation had been made at each of the hospitals mentioned and it was desired that the Board accept the gift as a token of goodwill from the Lodges. A suitably inscribed plate had .been attached to each cot presented. ’ The chairman said that it was a very fine offer and it would give the board much pleasure to accept it, with sincere thanks from the donor. He moved in that direction. Mr J. Muicare seconded the motion which was carried unanimously. Mr McKane suggested that they should also send Mr Steer best wishes for the future, and extend to him their wishes for a long and happy life. A letter was received from Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham conveying a donation of £lOO on behalf of Mrs Josephine Bcare, Melbourne, to commemorate the memory of her father, the late Sir Arthur Guinness. The gift, the letter stated, was to be used for the equipment of one of the small wards, and a plate was to be suitably inscribed and placed at the entrance to the ward. The chairman said that he thought this was also a very fine offer, reflecting very great credit on the lady responsible. He was sure that none of them had forgotten the work of Sir Arthur Guinness. He felt sure that, the furnishing of the ward and the, emblem that was to accompany it, would serve to keep fresh in the minds I of the. rising generation the memory of one who was a very fine citizen, and a brilliant parliamentarian. Mr Mosley, in seconding the motion, that Mrs Beare be heartily thanked for her gift, said that it might be an inspiration for others in the district to come along and do likewise. The resolution was carried unanimously. ■ The chairman conveyed to members of the Board the season’s greetings

and thanked them for their co-opera-non during the year just closing. He also wished to pay me same trioute to the secretary and those under him, the house manager, the nursing sia.x and medical staif, and the press for their fan" reports during the year. Whilst the Board had not given mem sheets of reports the reports had been very fair indeed. He had much pleasure in conveying me tnanks of tne Board for their services.

Mr McTaggart, reciprocating on behalf of fellow board members, nopea that the chairman would also have a real good vacation and come uack again with renewed vigour. He was sure that they had all got on wen under the chairman’s leadership and felt sure also that the same position would prevail next year. A resolution remung to the loan proposals were passed on the motion of Messrs McKane and Kent. Accounts amounting to £944 12s 7d were passed tor payment and accounts paid totalling £2622 10s were ratified. The following departmental reports were received and adopted:— Medical Superintendent: In at beginning of month. Hospital 51 males, 41 female; Old People’s Home, do maies, 4 females. Admitted during month, Hospital 52 males 82 females; Discharged during month 55 males, 81 females; died during month 2 maies, 5 females; O.P.H. 1 female; remaining at end of month 47 males, 38 females; O.P.H. 36 males, 3 temaies. Operating .theatre; Operations, general 50, ortnopaedie 9, dental 4, R.E.N.T. 26; total 89. Physiotherapy Department; In patients treated 311, out patients treated 322, ultra violet ray 22.

Bacteriological Department: Hospital examinations 118, out patients 25, miscellaneous 28. Matron (Rewa Hospital); Admissions 25, discharges 22, births 25, remaining patients 22, infants 22. Radiological Department: No, ot out patients 21, No. of in patients 42, No. of films 87, No. of exposures 105, screenings 7.

Departmental reports were received and adopted at the Hospital Board meeting, reported the chairman, Mr A. Mosley. In connection with the r)commendation that the Night Sister be granted one week’s leave every three months in addition to her days off and annual leave, it is recommended that the consent of the Minister be obtained to incorporating this recommendation in By-law 6, Sub-Clause B. A report was received from Miss M. I. Lambie, Registrar of Nurses’ and Mid-wives Registration Board, compiled consequent to her visit to other countries and suggestions for improving nursing conditions in New Zealand. It is recommended that no action be taken in the meantime as the recommendations re preliminary training which are featured in the report necessitate centralisation of training schools and are without, the scope of this Board. It is recommend-

ed that the secretary of the Nurses’ and Mid-wives’ Registration Board be informed that, although the nurses of this hospital have been canvassed to purchase books which the Registration Board considers unsatisfactory, they are not being used as official text books; also that the particulars required by the Director-General of Health covering staff and statistics of the hospital be completed and forwarded. |

The report of the Visiting Commit- 1 tee on the meeting of December 8 was received and adopted, and it was recommended that all the work out-! lined by the committee be put into operation immediately; also that the chairman of the Board and the chairman of the Hospital Committee, with the-Executive officers, bring down a report for the next meeting on the kitchen of the Nurses’ Home. I

The report of the House Manager on the duties of the porter at Rewaj was received and adopted. Tlie Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, wrote advising that the Board’s application to have) three Chinese inmates of the Old Peo-I pies’ Home naturalised, could not be granted. | The secretary, Hospital Boards’ Association, forwarded a replj- from the' Minister of Industries and Commerce' that it ‘was the Government’s intention to introduce an amendment to the Motor Spirits Act, to permit local bodies to buy at other than the fixed price. The following recommendations of the Finance Committee were adopted: That the J. B. Ford Company be informed their offer was for free trial of their products in the laundry for a period of a month, and there can be no obligation on the Board to pay for the barrel of Wyandotte left by their representative; that two rubber mattresses be purchased for experimental purposes, and that one be placed in the Old Peoples’ Home and one in the hospital; that Mr R. B. Smith be informed that the Board is complying with the terms of the lease of Rewa Hospital, and will continue to do so; that Messrs McTaggart and Mulcare be appointed visiting members with authority to deal with any urgent matters before the next meeting of the Board in February; that the usual arrangements be put in train for the provision of Xmas cheer to the inmates of the Board’s institution; that the authority of the Board be given for payment of salaries and wages on Thursday, 23rd, and the payment of Charitable Aid and extras on Friday, December 24; that the House Manager obtain the opinion of the Engineer of the Power Board on the quotations received for an electric ironing machine; that re an invitation from Karoro Bowling Club to the Official opening of the green, as many members as possible attend; that letters from the secretary, Amalgamated Society of Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Union, .and secretary of the Carpenters’ Employers' Association re the observance of a recent carpenters’ award be received, , no action being considered necessary I

as the carpenter is being paid above the award rate; that the secretary make application for extension of the overdraft authority to March 31, sum not exceeding £6000; that re a short report by Dr. Watt re the apportionment of funds collected as a memorial to the late King George V, it is recommended that the secretary investigate the position with a view to ascertaining whether any allotment can be given to the Grey Hospital district for. the purpose of establishing a summer health camp in a suitable locality; that re the Green bequest, and necessity for a declaration to be made regarding the number of established beds on January 8, 1931, in addition to the secretary’s reply of November 29, the Public Trustee be given the required declaration that the established beds at this date was 98; The Director-General of Health wrote agreeing to the fixing of wash-hand basins in each of the wards of the new surgical and maternity block, and provision of an extra door in the new Nurses’ Home. The secretary's action in taking the matter up with the engineer and architect was approved. The report of the House Manager and Engineer on the laundry building and plant, was received, and it was decided that this be deferred until the February meeting; The Secretary, Westland Hospital Board, wrote stating no appliance had been installed in the boiler at the Westland Hospital for the purpose of abating the smoke nuisance. The Secretary reported that an appliance called an “Iron Fireman,” had been installed at the Hokitika Mental Hospital and it was recommended that more information be obtained as to make and price.