HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1934, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Westland Hospital Board was held last evening, there being present, Messrs T. W. Duff (chairman)., G. Davidson, W. Evenden, W. A. Jamieson, A. It. Elcock and the Rev. H. J. W. Knights. Apologies were received for the absence of Messrs- Heenan and Keenan. The finance committee recommended ratification of accounts already paid, amounting to £762 13s and payment of accoutntg amounting to £477 os Bd.—Received and adapted. iTlfe Treasurer reported receipts £1034.Ps 7d, expenditure £lOBl 14s 4d, credit balance £1275 Is 9d.—-Re-ceived. Mr Jamieson said the credit balance shown was misleading, and it was not -in the best interests of the Board -to show it in the form it was: As a matter of fact there were the accounts passed for payment that evening to come -out of. the credit balance, leaving the Board in a much .worse, position than was shown. Members' agreed that the . position was ns stated by Mr Jamieson, and it was agreed that in future the treasurer’s statement.'only supply receipts and payments

The matron \Miss M. E. Anderson' reported tiro hospital was fairly busy ; during November, ‘ the lowest number of patients on any one day being 42, and the highest 51. Operations totalled 19, and X-rays 11. Reporting on staff matters, the matron stated she had resumed duty on November 1. Nurse Connolly had resumed duty, Miss S. Woodili had returned to relieve Sister Beck, who was on special leave, Nurse Clausen was on holidays, while Nurse Lindop had resumed duty. Misses R. Thorpe and 1. cTulloch were oft' duty owing to illness, and Miss A. Manners had resigned. Miss Growoott had been off duty owing to illness. Misses I Muir and R. Denia were relieving on the staff. Dr Shore visited the hospital oi'. November 26, and inspected the methods of administration, and recommended some minor repairs, which the Board had already gone into. He considered the hospital still slightly understaffed, and recommended the appointment , of two more probationers A ’problem irequiring .'attention was the accommodation of nurses. The home provided for 14, but there were 18 on the staff, the overflow being boused in the isolation blcck. The matron recommended that the rates of the housemaids’ and wardsmaids’ be the same. Donations had i>eon received from Mrs G. Perry f magazines) and Mr P. Renton senr.. (crockery). Mr Davidson reported on behalf of the house committee, approving of the recommendations of Dr Shore for additional accommodation to he provided for the nursing staff and domestic staff. He suggested temporary arrangements to meet the position; in' reference to the payments to the domestic staff that from January 1, thfe salaries be all the same, at £65 cor annum. This meant a small reduction in three and an increase for j two-of the staff. The prooosal was] approved. The requirements of the matrOjii --were approved and authorised, r PATIENTS. The medical superintendent reported patients for the month of November as follows:—Tn hospital November 1, 28 males, 18 females—46. Admitted dtiribg month, 2l males. 2,8 females—ll. Total treated, 90. Discharged cured 19 males, 1-1 females. Relieved 8 males, 5 females. Died. 1 I male, Total discharged, 47. Remaining in hospital November 80. 22 male’s, 21 females— 43. In hospital for

two months, 6 males, 6 females 12, —Received. ‘inward correpondence

From Hospital Department, stating approval of the procuration of the ambulance had been referred to the. Minister. —Received. From Health Department in regard to re-transfer of a section, stating it could be done, if ®ll payments made were repaid.—Received and agreed to. From New Brighton Band expressing pleasure at recent visit to Hospital and hospitality extended. —Received. The chairman stated the visit proved a very enjoyable one. From Dr Carter, resigning ’position as acting superintendent ofWestland Hospital.-—Received and a vote of thanks passed for services rendered.

From Hokitika Returned Soldiers’ Association, asking what action the Board proposed to take in regard to their proposal for. a medical association.—Received. The chairman said the Board had considered the proposal made and had agreed to offer that on the payment of 80s per annum, and a minimum of 100 members, paid in advance they give treatment to returned soldiers and their dependents up to 16 years of age. Seconded by Mr Jamieson and carried. From Miss Boyd application -for nnnub]( leave.—Received and granted. January 21 was fixed for the next meeting. In connection with sick leave of tiro staff, it was discussed and suggested that in future, employees who •rod served less tlic.n one year receive one week’s sick leave on full pay. and to those of more than one year of service one month on full nav be grant-

ed, these not to interfere with holidays. Alter discussion, consideration was deferred till next meeting, inquiries to be made. Dr Wilson, who was in attendance, was welcomed back by the chairman who expressed the general pleasure at the return of their medical superintendent.

X-RAY PLANT Dr Wilson, reported on inquiries he had made in regard to obtaining a new X-ray plant. After 'a lengthy statement, the Board resolved to purchase a Scball X-ray plant at £551 17s, subject to the approval of the Minister.

Various other matters affecting the equipment of the hospital were referred to and consideration of these were held over till a later date..

‘Wi Irion t blanked ImjemWers for tho consideration shown during his 'absence.