NAPIER HOSPITAL BOARD.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11124, 17 January 1899, Page 4

NAPIER HOSPITAL BOARD.

Monday, January 16. Present— Messrs G. H. Swan {chairman), W. Sbrimpton, K. D. D. M'Lean, M.H.R., P. Moeller, G. Faulknor, H. Williams, 11. P. Cohen, and Dr. Javis. GENERAL BUSINESS. The Chairman reported that everything was going on satisfactorily at the institution. Mr Cohen and Dr. Jarvis were appointed visiting committee for the ensuing three months. Dr. Leahy, house surßeon, wrote asking for ten months' leave of absence to enable him to proceed to England for further study. He pointed out that the hospital would benefit by such a course. He undertook to provide a substitute to the Board's approval. — Leave was granted from March next. The Garrison Band were thanked for their donation of -£5 10s, collected at a concert given by them. A BREEZE. A suggestion from the matron that one of the rooms at the hospital should be utilised for a sewing-room for the nurses raised some discussion, Messrs Cohen and Moeller protesting against the recommendation. Mr Moeller said it was most unreasonable for the nurses to aßk for this room at the present stage, after so much money had been spent in accommodation, especially Beeing 'that, when asked whether she could take in a measles patient who urgently required the attention of a couple of nurses, the matron had replied that they had neither the nurses nor the accommodation for that purpose. They complained about not having sufficient accommodation, and yet they now wanted to annex one of the rooms for a sewing room. He strongly opposed it for the reason he had given. He moved that the question be left in the hands of the Visiting Committee. The Chairman said the previous speaker had allowed his eloquence to run away with his judgment, and as he (the chairman) understood the matter there was really no grievance at all. The whole sum involved in altering this room was merely £1 18s 6d. Mr Williams remarked that at the present time they had more nurses than patients, their revenue decreasing and expenditure increasing. Dr. Jarvis reminded members that the efficacy and usefulness of the hospital was not judged from its number of patients but from the class of those patients, and therefore because the institution was not fall, that was no reason why good work was not being done thero. Such a sewing room as proposed was a good investment, for the hospital linen and other necessaries oould then be made on the premises whioh under other circumstances might have to be made elsewhere. Mr Moeller, by way of explanation, said it was not the small expenditure involved to which he objected, but he disapproved of a principle which shut out patients when there was accommodation. Mr Cohen said that if they did have more probationers than patients it was necessary to have them, but it did not follow that they were wasting their time, for they were being taught something. Dr. Jarvis said the children's ward was altogether unsuitable for the purpose for whicn it had been built. Dr. Leahy, house surgeon, asked to be permitted to say a few words. He said that no linen was sent out which could possibly be made at the hospital. As to the number of patients, there was not a variation of ten cases in the year, the Government report showing 470 patients for the year. As to the case of which Mr Moeller had complained, it seemed' that the only ward vacant at the time was near a delirious woman, and as they could not put a case of measles alongside a woman who was shouting and screaming all night the case had to be refused. It was decided to leave the question of sewing room to be dealt with by the committee, with power to act, and that the matter complained of regarding the non-admission of a patient be investigated by the committee. ACCOUNTS. Vouchers amounting to .£279 8s 6d were passed for payment, and the meeting 'adjourned.