HOSPITAL MATTERS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 19 May 1930, Page 11

HOSPITAL MATTERS

HAWERA BOARD. THE, MONTH’S WORK. Members of the Hawera Hospital Board present at the monthly meeting to-day were: Messrs J. S. McKay (chairman), F. Gi Wanders, E. Nairn, A. G. Larcom, A. L. Campbell. T,. A. Winks, E. A, Washer, S.. J. Bennett. W. G. Simpson, and E. J. Gifford. The medical superintendent (Dr. J. Cairney) reported that the patients at March 31 were, 71; admitted 1 during month, 57; discharged or died. 05; m hospital at April 30, 63. Thy daily average of occupied beds was 65.8, and for last year (April) 58.5, with a daily average to each of nursing staff of 2.3. . wenty-nine hospital X-ray cases were dealt with, as well as 11 private cases. Physio-therapeutic cases were 14, with 120 treatments, an average per day of 8.6. Thera were seven out-patients attended during the month. Tlio matron (Miss C. Hunter) reported that Sister Leicester commenced her second year on April 3. Nurses Thompson, Lash, Spence and Carter sat for surgical, medical, practical and oral examinations bn April 26. Drs. Cairney and Paterson reported they all' passed, with averages from 70 to So per cent. They would ,sit for the State examinations on June 4 and .’. The examinations for second year nurses would be held as soon as could be arranged. Probationers Gifford and Henry were recommended to- be placed on the staff. Nurse Hicks and Nurse Gameroni had been off duty on sick leave. Nurse Beecbey was away on lier annual leave to May 15. In the domestic staff Miss Hitchcock was away for annual leave from May 1. The acting-matron of the Old People’s Home (Mrs D. Smith) reported that there were Iff inmates in the home and five in hospital, and all were fairly well at present. Donations were acknowledged. from Mr Sturrock, fruit; “A Friend,”, cake; Rebecca Kiwi Lodge, cakes; Mrs Hatcher, “Auckland Weeklies”; English Church, papers; Mr Riley, buns. The farm manager reported a i ally of 540 gallons ok milk to the hospital: cream 45 pints and bacon 2741 b. The stock on hand at April 1 totalled II cows, and' two had been bought, making 13 at the present time. There were 31 pigs on hand at April 1, but two small suckers bad died.

TRAINING OF NURSES. A letter was received from the 'bon. secretary of the Taranaki branch of th© Trained Nurses’ Association stating that they were much concerned at the introduction of a Bill proposed for registration of private hospitals as training schools for nurses. They added! that, though temporarily shelved effort® would be made to put the Bill through Parliament during the: coming, session, and asked for assistance in opposing the Bill’, because they considered it would seriously affect the nursing status and the reciprocal agreement truth other countries, • The reasons for opposition were: (1) That the private hospitals Could not conform to the syllabus laid down Ip-The. Nurses and Midwives’ Registration' Board; (2) that reciprocity with other countries would bo -serioustv affected; (3) that patients paying high fees would refuseio have their infirmity used for teaching purposes ; and (4) it would lead to an over-supply of nurses, causing unemployment, similar to that now existing in the- teaching 'profession. The medical superintendent .said that the matter of reciprocity was extremely important. The training given in the Dominion gave nurses going Home the facility to take up work there without further examination, if the Bill went through, reciprocity would not. he acknowledged, and nurses would have to- go through training again. He added that the move originated with the big private hospitals in the cities. Mr. Winks said lie d'id not- know who was responsible for the Bill, hut he urged that steps be taken to oppose the Bill.

It was agreed to support the protest, and that letters he written to the members of Parliament for the district advising them of the position.

ESTIMATES. The Director-General of Health wrote advising that the utmost eicsenoir.v was necessary at this time, and asked all members and officers to assist him in attaining such economy. He was prepared to approve only of a filing cabinet, a carer index and! the screening of men’s wail’d, and he asked tire remainder of items to* be held over until their necessity was proved. The director said lie was not satisfied of the necessity for the convalescent ircom ad'diions. lie asked for the. deletion of the ■.proposed expenditure. It wa.s agreed to. re-open the matter of the convalescent room and to write co the department- pointing out- that tbs money was in hand and that they were .prepared to go on with the work.

GENERAL. The Director-General advised that lire Minister of Health had approved the by-laws of the board, subject t-o a few minor amendments. He also, stated that progress reports of patients ait King George Y Hospital would be furnished regularly in the case of those guaranteed by .boards. The Department of Health telegraph-

ed approval of the expenditure of £IOO foil out-patient 'department.. A lengthy report ivas. supplied by the medical'.superintendent, in the matter of the out-patient department stating that- there were two classes those who came for massage treatment, and those who came tor dressings. The purpose of such a department, he added, was to give medical advice and make treatment available for parsons nliable to nay full fees for (private medical attention. All had to secure a certificate from the secretary that he had paid the fee- required. The fees varied from Is to ss. - , . The appoinment of Miss Walter, of Otaki, as night sister, as recommended by the matron and medical _superintendent. was confirmed. She trill take up her duties on June 1. The Audit Office ' returned the board’s statement of accounts and balance-sheet duly audited, andj the secretary said he was pleased to report that there was no tag. It was resolved: to call for tenders for supplies of coal and to leave this matter in the hands of tihei finance committee. ._. . , ••; i. Messrs. Washer, Winks' and Snn/p----son were' appointed the- visiting committee' for the coming month. The secretary wag instructed to arrange for leave and absence for the engineer and the laundress, niakingi temporary arrangements for relief. .