HOSPITAL AFFAIRS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 207, 16 August 1927, Page 9

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS.

MEETING OF HAWKE’S BAY BOARD. GENERAL BUSINESS. The monthly meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board was held in Napier yesterday afternoon, when Mr J. B. Andrew occupied the chair. Other members present were Messrs F. B. Logan, G. A. Maddison, W. Shrimpton, G. Priest, G. McKay, C. 0. Morse and H. Hill. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs W. J. McGrath and J. Harris. The following correspondence was dealt with:— The Director-General of Health wrote advising that the plans and specifications of Coleman Ward and Special Services Block had been posted, and trusted that the Board would be’ well satisfied with the buildings. He hoped that the board would not exceed the £l6OOO as approved by him —“Very satisfactory indeed," commented the chairman in moving that the letter be received, and that the tenders be forwarded to the DirectorGeneral.

The Hospital Board’s Association wrote forwarding a copy of a letter sent to the Prime Minister regarding hospital treatment and relief to Maoris—Received, Mr Maddison stating that it had been decided to assist the boards in this problem.

OLD AGE PENSIONS. It was pointed out by Mr Maddison that when a pensioner came into the hospital the pension was stopped and paid to the board. This was, he understood, enforced by legislation and he did not consider that this should be the case, and was of the opinion thta every such case on coming into the institution should be judged on its own merits. He gave an instance when an elderly lady came into the hospital leaving behind a husband, and when the board received the money it left the lady in a nasty position. She objected strongly to receiving charitable aid; all she wanted was her pension. “The board should not be compelled to take the pension,” he stated, contending that old age pensioners should bo treated the same as any other inmate. “We can make a refund,” pointed out the chairman. Mr Morse thought that the question was a big one, but he favoured Mr Maddison. After a little further discussion it was decided to make a refund of the pension in the case outlined by Mr Maddison. GENERAL MATTERS. It was decided that the Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Commitee be written to advising of the board’s approval of the lay-out of the grounds, and the carrying out of the work under iUe direction of their committee. The monthly balance statement, showing debit balance of £l9l 3s 2d as at 31st July, 1927, was adopted.