HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1935, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD

meeting held last evening ' The Westland Hospital Hoard met last evening when there were present: Messrs T. W; ijulf (chairman), \V. Jeifrit’Sj A. T. 'Elcock, \Y. A. Jamieson. J. A. Murdoch, H. T. Harry, E. W. H.ecnan, W. H. Evenden and the Rev. H. J. \V. Knights.

A deputation from the Druids’ Lodge, waited ou the Hoard seeking a renewal <%th e medical agreement, at a tee of £1 per tn«mlH*r a year; The Lodge considered it could guarantee a membership of 150. with a lump sum of £l4O paid in advance. The sum of £350 per annum was paid out for medical and chemist’s services. The Lodge was not prepared to pay more than £1 a week. 'the chairman said the Hoard had already decided it could not consider renewal at that rate.

]fc was stated that the Kctu'iiod Soldiers’ Association had recently entered into an agreement’ at 30s per member, blit the” latter were not in any other separate agreement with the doctor as the Lodge were. Mr Kvendon considered the 'Lodge paid too ranch to the doctor. ]l the} iwA.de a reduction in their payment to him, and increased their offer to the Board, the latter might then consider an agreement at the increased lee. The Board decided on the motion oi Messrs Murdoch and Elcoek that the Board adhere to its original decision that, an agreement could not be entered into at the suggested fee of “3*l per member. Thn iictiu'-C-Mutron (Bister J. AMcCalluml reported June had b.-en an pytremdy bu«v time. the accommodation beim? severely taxed. The number of (patients mer day had varied from 71 to 58. Operations totalled 40. and X-rays ftH 'file ii verb tee dnilv occupied beds w as 52. To coi)P'wit’ll the demands, extra hed!- ha' 1 been "lilL-p' l but vefe ‘ not suitable for nursing sick patients. M’sjs J. Greenot had been appointed a pro-

bulioner. During the month enjoyable entertainments had been, given -by the Band, and Airs Ashley’s concert .parties. Donations from the Rev L. S. Dewar (Ross), Airs Woolhou.se (Kanieri) and Air Newman were gratefully acknowledged. d'S

The chairman, reported on behalf d the house committee and recommended the prvision of several commodities urgently regained.

The quarterly financial statement showed a debit balance, of £2058. Receipts totalled £1363, the cldef items being patients fees £Bl5, local bodies’ levies £266. and old age pensions £159. The principal items of expenditure were hospital maintenance £2355, capital expenditure £591, administration £l7B. The Mcdical-Supcrin'.cmlaiit (Dr B. Wilson) reported:— In hospital June 1. 38 males, 19 females, total 57, admitted during June. 46, 32, 78: total treated 84, 57, 135: discharged cured 38, 20. 58; relieved 2, 3. 5; total discharged 40, 23, 63; in hospital June 30 44, 28, 72; indoor treatment two mouths or over 8. 1, 9. Regarding the Board’s building programme, the Department of Health advised it was prepared to submit -pre.liminarv sketch plans, showing, additions to theatre block, nurses home, childrens ward, and other alterations. .Application for the Loan Board’s sanction should she made, and when forthcoming, the Board should arrange for the nrerjaration of final plans and

specifications. The secretary advised he had rcplKd requesting preliminary plans' be prepared. Regarding tlie new nurses’ home, he advised that the Hoard preferred a wooden building. The Department, in connection v u -i the , Hoard’s estimates considered the .patients’ fees estimate too low, and suggesting the Hoard increase the estimate to £3,100, and that the net estimated expenditure be reduced correspondingly to £7326. The secretary reported, this bad been done. Mr M. Carroll applied for a lease of

, the Board’s cottage and grounds at •Waiho. An offer to purchase tile cottage and section for £3OO. or to lease it at £2O, was received from the Rev. R. Neweombe, of llarihnri. It was decided that terms be arranged with Air Newcombe. ..., The Timber Workers’ Tin ion advised ii had paid the UrOy Board the jujp of £SOO in final payment, of which amount the Westland Board would receive its portion in due course. It was the intention to approach all Boards in the district to enter into agreement for the treatment of members and dependants. the fee to bo 30s per annum lor each member, which would mean paying £1650 annually between all the Boards in question. The letter was received. The Grey Hexpital Board wrote in connection with the Timber Workers’ Union, asking the Board for a statement showing the total debits made against Union for treatment of members in the Westland Hospital during, the period covered by the agreement—lt was decided t° supply the required information. The ißev H. J. AY. Knights tendere 1 his resignation 1 rom the Board as from July 25. The chairman sab] Air Knights had been a very useful mem tier of the Board, and thev regretted his departure. The resignation was accepted, th r Board deciding to place on record it' appreciation of his services.