GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1939, Page 2

GREY HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Grey Hospital Board was held last evening, when there were present: Messrs H. G. Carter (Chairman), J. Smeaton, J. B Kent, R. McTaggart, A. Robinson, A. 11. McKane, J. Mulcare, O. C. Jovce, A. Mosley, J. Laing. Messrs J. B. Kent and J. Laing, were appointed a visiting committee for the ensuing month. Mr. W. F. Ellis, was the successful tenderer for cartage. The Chairman said that the Board s new buildings were now well in hand and were nearing completion. Small details, such as improvements required to the ventilators, were being carefully watched. The Chairman said that the financial statement disclosed that for the first nine months of the year, the maintenance costs of the hospital were up nearly £1,200 on the estimates, whilst capital expenditure was up £l,OOO. Their overdraft was now close to the limit. It was to be noted that the levies on local bodies, with the exception of the County Council, were mainly overdue. No doubt these payments would come to hand shortly, and help the Board to balance its account. In reply to a question, the Secretary (Mr. J. E. A. McKeefry), said that the Greymouth Borough Council had made only one quarterly payment.

Mr. Kent remarked that in such instances it was possible to draw on local bodies and charge interest. Mr. Mulcare said that it was to be noted that the Board was paying a good deal of interest on its overdraft.

Mr. McKane said that he thought the local bodies outstanding in payments should be reminded of their arrears.

In reply to a further question, the Secretary said that the Greymouth Borough Council was just on £3,000 behind. Mr. Mulcare said that there had been some criticism of their spending, but they were obviously paying interest in this instance where they should not be.

The Chairman saifl that they were £1,200 to the bad in maintenance charges, mainly through putting on extra hands to conform with the 40-hour-week, whilst there had been an expenditure of just on £l,OOO in furniture for the Nurses’ Home. This, of course, would not be recurring next year.

Mr. McKane thought that all local bodies in arrears should be notified, and that it should be pointed out to them that it was no use of the Board levying this amount and having to pay 41 per cent, interest, which came to a considerable amount each month. He understood that the Board had power to charge this\ overdraft interest up to those local' bodies in arrears.

The Chairman said that no doubt now they were approaching the end of the financial year, such matters would be straightened out. The Secretary said that the Board’s overdraft was £7,750 16s sd, but once the amount of the outstanding levies came to hand, they would get the Government subsidy (which was more th"n the levies), and this would bring the receipts up to £7,800, which would more than pay off the overdraft.

The Chairman said that the question of .rating powers had been discussed at the recent Hospital Boards’ Conference, and it was considered that were the collection transferred to the hospital authorities, the cost would prove greater on the ratepayer.

, Mr. Smeaton said that it had to be remembered that a heavy cost was entailed by local bodies in collecting hospital levies, and there was considerable abuse in their collection. This rate constantly went up and it was no fault whatever of the local body which was responsible for its collection. Costs were going up all the time and would continue to do so. Mr. McKane said that the Board’s overdraft was to-day costing them £6 a week. If the present position was not remedied, they would find that the Board would, have to further increase its levies on this account.

Mr. Smeaton said that they would be increased in any case.

Mr. Mulcare said that it was wrong that the Bank should be getting this amount of interest. Apparently other local bodies were dodging the payment of interest on overdrafts at the Board’s expense.

Mr. Kent: Don’t you think that every local body has got an overdraft?

The Chairman said that it was a fairly solid argument in favour of the ratepayers, for the amalgamation of local bodies.

Mr. Smeaton said that the Health Department was now laying down a plan, as it was considered that in 20 years’ time they would have double the number of beds occupied here as at the present time. Further, they were of the opinion that the social security will increase the burden on hospitals. The Chairman reported at length on the recent conference. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. The following Departmental reports were adopted:— Medical Superintendent (December) : —Patients in at beginning of month (hospital), 46 males, 33 females; patients admitted during the month (hospital), 48 males 31 females; patients discharged during month (hospital), 44 males 32 females; patients died during month (hospital), 2 males 2 females; patients remaining at end of month (hospital), 46 males 25 females. Old People Home:—Patients in at beginning of month, 37 males 4 females; patients admitted during the month, none; patients discharged during month, none; patients died during month, 1 male; patients remaining at end of month, 36 males 3 females. No. of patients end of December (January)—Hospital: 46 males 25 females; Old Peopled Home: 36 males 3 females; No. of patients admitted during month—Hospital: 75 males 47 females; 0.P.H.: 1 male; No. of patients discharged during month—Hospital: 61 males 42 females; 0.P.H.: None. No. of deaths during month—Hospital: 3 males 2 females; O.P.H. 1 None; No. remaining at end of month —Hospital: 58 males 29 females; 0.P.H.: 37 males 3 females. Maternity Hospital (December): Patients admitted, 25; patients discharged, 25; No. of births, 25, January; Patients

admitted, 30; patients discharged, 30; births 29.

Operating Theatre— December: General, 54; orthopaedic, 14; E.E.N. & T„ 7; dental, 2. January: General, 40; orthopaedic, 8; E.E.N. & T., 26; dental, 3. Bacteriological Department— December: Hospital examinations, 106; O.P.D. examinations, 50; miscellaneous, 20; other Hospitals, 4. January: Hospital examinations, 141; O.P.D. examinations, 22; miscellaneous, 28; other hospitals, 8. Physiotherapy Department— December: No. of in-patients treated, 212; No. of out-patientp treated, 199; ultra violet ray, 18. January: Inpatients treated, 192; out-patients treated, 155; ultra violet ray, 32. Radiological Department— December: No. of out-patients, 28; No. of in-patients, 25; films used, 83; exposures, 108; screenings, 1. January: No. of out-patients, 28; No. of inpatients, 46; films used, 107; exposures, 134; screenings, 5. The Matron, in her report, extended thanks to the following:—Mr. Slater, Mr. Reynolds and the Todd children, for books; Church of Christ kindergarten, fruit; toys from Baptist Sunday ’ School and Taylorville School; flowers from Jacks Mill school children; cakes from Adams Bruce; knitting from Women’s Institute; flowers from Mrs. White and the Misses Craig; hot bottle covers from Brownie Pack; flowers from the Greymouth Florist Co. The Visiting Committee (Messrs J. Smeaton and A. Mosley), visited the Hospital on Wednesday, 25th. January, 1939, and reported as follows— Nurses’ Home: The corridors and numerous rooms in the original portion of the building require renovation. This work can be ,done by our own staff. New buildings: Owing to recent happenings so far as our new buildings are concerned, we think it most desirable that the Bdard should

obtain the report and opinion of an independent architect before any further payments are made to the contractors. Laundry: We are informed the present facilities are inadequate for the present and future needs of the hospital and reorganisation is urgently necessary. O.P. Home: With the present staff it is not possible to introduce the 40-hour-week, and it is recommended that authority be given for the engagement of a new aide to enable this to be done. Owing to the special nature of the work at the Old People’s Home, it is recommended that the aides there be paid 30s per week instead of £1 as at present. So far as can be gathered, it is believed inmates of similar Homes in other parts of New Zealand have certain duties to perform. and assist as far as they are physically able with the work in and around such institutions. It is recommended that information on this subject be obtained from other Boards as to the procedure adopted at similar institutions under their control. The report was adopted. Rev. H. R. Fell, wrote expressing appreciation of courtesies extended. It was decided that a letter of thanks be forwarded to the Ministers’ Association for their donation of £2l 14s lid towards equipment for the Children’s Ward, and that they be consulted at a later date as to the exact equipment which their donation will cover. It was decided that a letter of thanks be sent to the Secretary, Taylorville Junior Red Cross circle, for Christmas toys made by their members. Mr. H. Ramsden, wrote expressing, appreciation for treatment to his late father. A letter was received from the Hawke’s Bay Board regarding the shortage of nurses. The following recommendations of the Hospital Committee were adopt-

ed:—That in connection with the report of the Visiting Committee, the House Manager be given authority to have renovations carried out in the older portion of the Nurses’ Home as and when workmen are available; that the Chairman of the Hospital Board, Chairman of the Hospital Committee and Secretary take up the matter of certain defects in the new building with the Public Works Department and endeavour to have these rectified as early as possible, also to go into the question of over crowding in the Maternity Ward; that the Matron and House Manager bring down a report for the March meeting dealing with reorganisation of the laundry; that the Secretary of the Hospital Boards’ Association be written to enquiring what steps have been taken to finalise the Domestic Agreement covering the 40-hour week and that the question of staffing of the Old Peoples’ Home be discussed when this agreement is finalised; that the Secretary obtain from other Boards information as to what work is expected of inmates of Old Peoples’ Homes; That the necessary authority be given the House Manager for the employment of an extra kitchen hand. Reports from other Hospital Boards on the use of wyandotte were received and no further action taken. The report of alleged negligent treatment in the Maternity Ward was discussed by the Hospital Committee, and it was recommended that a report be obtained as early as possible from the Matron and the Doctor who was in charge of the case. It was further recommended that as from this date the Medical Superintendent be given authority over all the medical activities pf the Boaid including the Maternity Ward and outside practitioners be so informed. This regulation, not how ever, to make any alteration in the practice of outside doctors attending their patients in the Maternity Ward as has been the practice in the past. The recommendation was adopted.

Mr J. Laing was granted leave of absence from the March meetings. It was decided to advise the Kaipara Board that the Board was prepared to reciprocate in the matter of charging the same rate for patients in their district.