HOSPITAL BOARD

Grey River Argus, 12 February 1941, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. At the mommy meeting '*ne Grey Hospital Board last evening, theie were present: Messrs J. Mulcare (Chairman), J. Smeaton, J. B. Kent, W. Fisher, R. McTaggart, H. G. Carter, J. F. Laing and the Secretary (Mr J. E. McKeefrey). Mr A. H. McKane was granted leave of absence while attending to his duties on the Armed Forces Appeal Board, at Christchurch. Mr Smeaton expressed a h'ope that the work which was requiring his attention, would quickly come to an end.

The Visiting Committee’s report, as follows, was received and adopted:— The Chairman of the Hospital Committee, with Mr Mosley, visited the Hospital on Wednesday, February 5, no Visiting Committee having been appointed at the December meeting. Representations were made regarding the Aga cooker in the Nurses’ Home. That it was not of sufficient capacity to do all the cooking necessary with the increased number of nurses. It is recommended that two steam jacketed pans be procured and installed.

The Matron reported on the diffij culty being experienced in obtaining sufficient supplies, mainly of material I suitable for overalls for the tneatre ! use. Most of these mate.-als were aide to be procured locally or ironvarious New Zemand houses, but no stocks arc now' being held. The Secretary had import licenses for upwards of 3,000 yards of material to arrive but no word has been received as to when shipments are available. It is recommended that small quantities for immediate requirements be purchased even though price is considerably higher than that at which the Secretary has secured indents. All departmental officers are to be advised that the utmost economy must be exercised in the use of stores. It is recommended that the Secretary approcah the Engineer of the Borough Council and obtain a quotation for tar-sealing the roads in the hospital grounds. Painting is now well in hand and should be completed at an early date. It was noticed that considerable quantities of various materials which have been removed in the course of renovations are left lying in various parts, of the grounds and no attempt made at salvage, it is recommended that the House Manager’s attention be drawn to this and every effort made to use all materials or have some stacked for future requirements. It is recommended that the Matron instruct the porters to see that rubbish from the wards be classified into what is burnable and what is not. Separate tins used for each class. The sink at the Nurses’ Home Kitchen was apparently connected to the storm water drain. The attention of the chairman was drawn to this by the Inspector of Health, and as an urgent measure instructions were given for the drain to bo connected to the main sewer. This work is almost completed. The departmental reports as fol- I lows, were received: — ■

Medical Super.intondent:—B’atjen ts Nov. 30: Malos 57; females 46; admitted in December, Males 66; females 40; January, males 72, females 60. Discharged in December, males 68; females 54; January, males 72; females 54. Died during December, males 4, January, Males 2* females 1. Remaining 31/12/40, males 49' females 32. January, males 47- females 37. Patients Mcßrearty ’ Annexe, November 30, IS; babies 18; admitted during December, 31; births 29; remaining December 31st., patients 16; babies 13; ante natal attendances 60. January: Patients 16; babies 13; admitted during January 36; births 37; remaining January 31.

patients 12; babies 12; ante natal attendances 56. The patients and sta t enjoyed a happy time at Xmas. Ihe five nurses who sat for them. State Maternity Examination were all successful in passing. The new class is all in training now. Operating Theatre, December: — General 46, E.E.N.T. 12, Orthopaedic 7, dental 2; January, General 30, E.E.N.T., 39. Orthopaedic 5, Dental 5. Physio-therapy Department, December: In patients treated 269, out patients treated 286. U.V.R. 8; January, In patie'nts treated 297, out patients treated 248, U.V.R., 36. Bacteriological Department, December: Hospital examinations 151, O.P.D. 14, Other hospital examinations 11, Miscellaneous 46. January: Hospital examinations 128, O.P.D. examinations 33, Other hospitals 8, Miscellaneous 23.’

The Committee report, wnicn was adopted, was as follows: —The Hospital Committee met on February 10. Present: Messrs J. Smeaton (Chairman), H. G. Carter, W. Fisher, O. C. Joyce, J. B. Kent, J. F. Laing, A. Mosley, J. Mulcare and R. McTaggart. The following are the recommendations of the Committee: lhat in connection with the recommendation of the Matron of the Maternity Annexe, travelling expenses both ways be paid if she remains on the staff until the return of one of. ute permanent staff- That in connection with the Matron’s recommendation re. the training of a sister at the Karitane Harris Hospital the Board agree to a total grant not exceeding £5O on the understanding that if the sister when trained, does not remain for a period of two years a proportionate refund be made for the unexpired balance of the period. The Di-rector-General of Health wrote suggesting that in future all pupil nurses undergo an X-ray examination of the chest, and mantoux test. It was decided that the Director-Gener-al be informed that X-ray examinations of pupil nurses and mantoux tests have been carried out for the past two years. The Director-Gener-al wrote, suggesting that all maternity annexes which are training schools have a medical practitioner who specialises in obstetrics as superintendent," and that medical practitioners of the district be allowed to attend their own patients in the annexe, also that outside patients should regularly attend the hospital ante natal clinic. It was resolved that the Director-General be informed that the system outlined in his circular has been in operation since the establishment of the new maternity annexe. The Director-General of Health wrote in regard to the system of teaching children while patients in hospital, and asking that care be exercised by teachers while contacting children with infectious diseases The information is to be referred to the Medical Superintendent for transmission to any teachers concerned. The Medical Superintendent wrote, suggesting that on 'account of the shortage of medical and nursing staff and alteration o/ meal hours, that the visiting hours be altered as follows: Afternoons: Wednesday and Saturday. 2.15 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday: 2.30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Evenings: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. It was decided that the recommendation of the Medical Superintendent be given effect to and that the new hours be observed and advertised.

The Finance Committee report was adopted as folliws:—At a meeting of the Committee on Monday there wer° present: Messrs J. Mulcarc (Chairman), H. G. Carter, W. Fisher, O. C. Joyce, J. B. Kent. J. F. Laing, A. Mosley, R. McTaggart, and J. Smeaton. Accounts amounting to £9,760 15s lid paid were ratified. A letter was received from the Minister of Railways advising that careful consideration has been given to representations by Mr J. B. Kent and stating that he can see no reason for

the Railway Department, contributing towards the cost of a new overhead bridge. The thanks of the BoanJ were extended to Mr Kent for his efforts in this connection. The Director-General of Health advised an extension of the overdraft authority for a period ending March 31, 1941, of an account of £12,000, and asked if it is intended to continue the agreements with the various medical associations and friendly societies for the provision of outpatient treatment. The Secretary’s action in informing the DirectorGeneral that it was intended to continue these agreements until the outpatient treatment under the Social Security Act was established, was approved. The Director-General also asked that a return of capital expenditure for the year ending March 31, 1942, b e forwarded. The Secretary was empowered to make the return- The Secretary, Hospital Boards Association, advised that the National Disputes Committee had given complete agreement to the classification of the Greymouth Nurses’ Home. The Secretary, Hospital Boards Association advised that £4 is due as a subscription to the Industrial Union of Employers, although the Board did not agree to join th e Union. The amount of £4 is to be paid without affecting in any way the Board's previous decision not to join the union, and the Association advised postponement of the Conference for 1941. It was decided that the Secretary draft a letter to the Association stating the viewpoint of the Grey Board on postponement and that with the provision of emergency hospitals, Ihe Boards’ conference of members and executive officers is long overdue. The Secretary, Hotel Workers’ Union wrote asking that wages be paid to members of the Union eitner weekly or fortnightly. . It was decided that the Secretary of the Union be' informed that those members of the staff coming under the Domestic Award will be paid fortnightly after March 31, this time being considered necessary in order to re-organise salary, records, etc. North Canterbury Hospital Board advised that it is intended to cancel the reciprocal agreement. It was decided that the Secretary tak e up with the Minister of Health recent correspondence regarding a Grey patient and point out the serious financial inroads which his suggestion will effect on the smaller hospital boards of the Dominion.

Correspondence was received from the Director of Cashmere Sanitorium in regard to the progress of patients and recommendations in regard to the admission of patients. Vale and Company asked that the amount due for the stoker be paid and the Engineer's report on the comparative consumption. It was decided that Va.e and Company be informed the Board consider it is under no obligation to purchase and request, them to remove the stoker and that the Board agree to all expenses being paid a s originally agreed upon. An agreement with Moore and Patty for purchase of coal was concluded, and the Common Seal of the Board is to be affixed by the Chairman and Mr McTaggart.

It was decided that a suggestion of the Director-General be agreed to, and that the Managing-Secretary be appointed group officer for the_ Westland District and empowered to commence ; negotiations and submit scheme incorporating the • other hospitals named in the report on emergency hospital organisation. It was agreed that the meeting of the Board b ( > held in future on one evening in the month, details to be arranged and discussed after the general meeting on Tuesday. The report of the Visiting Committee was approved. Mr Kent asked that his vote' be recorded against the decision to purchase an' incinerator. The Secretary was instructed to see that the Chef of the main hospital commenced her annual leave.