Hospital Affairs

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 177, 12 July 1927, Page 8

Hospital Affairs

HAWKE’S BAY BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. GENERAL BUSINESS. The H.B. Hospital Board held its monthly meeting yesterday. Present: Messrs. J. B. Andrew (chairman), H. Hill, J. Harris, W. Slinmpton, G. Maddison, G. McKay, F. B. Logan and G- Priest.

Leave of absence was granted Messrs. C. 0. Morse and W. J. McGrath.

The secretary of the Hospital Boards’ Association conveyed the text of the following adopted remit from the conference:—“That the law be amended to enable widows whose children have been born out of New Zealand to become entitled to the widow’s pension, provided they have been residents in New Zealand over twelve months, instead of, as at present, three years.”—Received. The contractors for the Nurses’ Home, Hillen and Howard, wrote stating that the Neuchatel Company had not yet supplied certain requirements, and denying liability for certain damage to linoleum.—The secretary’s action in withholding £5O until a leaky roof was made satisfactory was endorsed. Satisfaction was expressed at a letter from the Director-General of Health, which stated that he hoped shortly t 6 establish health clinics in the four centres for those unable to pay for medical attention. As recommended by Mr Maddison it was agreed that the lay-out of the Hastings Hospital grounds be proceeded with immediately, and the foreman carpenter, head gardener and managing secretary were instructed to confer with the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Committee in this connection.

Mr Maddison reported that he already received a donation of £5 5/from Mrs J. McLeod for the work besides £4O worth of roses. That meant they had, with Government subsidy, somewhere about £9O to enable the work to proceed. Tenders, to close in three weeks’ time, are to be invited for the erection of the Coleman Ward and a subcommittee was appointed to deal with the tenders on their coming to hand.

The request of the H.B. United Friendly Societies’ Council for a remission of fees was refused with regret. FINANCIAL. Patients’ tees totalling £630 14/6 were written oft. The monthly statement of patients’ lees balance, showing £29,243 5/3 outstanding at June 30, was adopted. The monthly balance statement showing a bank credit balance of £lOB4 19/9 as at June 30 was adopted. Vouchers totalling £5732 4/4 were passed for payment. Messrs. Hill and Morse reported having inspected the locality at Parke Island whence the contractors for the Napier Harbour Board propose to obtain limestone. Mr Leeds, the board’s resident engineer ioi Messrs. Holmes, of Wellington, and the contractors were present. It was agreed that the eastern face of the island could be worked where limestone blocks are seen, but that no excavations far beyond the fence running along the hill top bounding the rape paddock could be made until further inspection and approval. They suggested that the committee visit the area at a later date to decide if work can be carried out in the rape paddock. The report was adopted, Mr J. Harris being added to the committee.

MATRON’S REPORT. The Matron (Miss Rose Macdonald) in her monthly report stated;— Enclosed is Sister Spencer’s resignation, which 1 forward with regret. 1 beg to suggest that Charge Nurse Mackay be appointed a sister. She has recently completed her term of training in the McHardy Home, and passed the midwifery examination, in which she succeeded in gaining firstclass honours—over 90 per cent of marks. Nurse Mackay has also acted as charge nurse for several months and will, in my opinion, prove to be a good sister. Nurses Boshier, Smith, E- Burdett, and Connell, of the hospital staff and now at McHardy Home, also Nurses Moore and Matthews, have been successful in passing the maternity examination which was held recently, Nurses Boshier and Connelly gaining first-class honours (over 90 per cent) and Nurses Smith, E. Burdett, and Moore second-class honours (over 75 per cent.), Nurse Matthews passed, and Nurse McCallum gained a partial pass During the month of June 20 patients were admitted to the McHardy Home, 19 babies were born, 42 patients attended the ante-natal clinic, and at the present time there are 16 women and 16 babies in the Home. The board decided to congratulate the nurses who were successful in the midwifery examination.