HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1936, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARD

MEETING HELD LAST EVENING

The Westalnd Hospital Board met. last evening when there were present: Messrs T. W. Duff (chairman), W. A. Jamieson, X. H.' Brown, E. L. Park, E. W. Heepan, J. A) Murdoch, W. H. Evendou, E. R. Elcock; W. Jeffries. An apology was received from Mr H. T,. Parry. v, \ The financial statement showed receipts for October totalled £962, the chief items being Government subsidy £524, patients’ fees £315, pensions £6O. refund relief wages £43 Expenditure amounted to £1049. . . The Matron (Miss M. E. Anderson) reported the hospital was very busy during the past month, the number of occupied beds some days being as high as 20 above the average. The highest on any one day was 70, the lowest 55. The average for the past six months was 50.9. Operations for the month totalled 41, X-rays 53, massage and electrical'treatments 151. Appointments to be confirmed were Miss Alice Avery, probationer nurse as from October 2, Miss Georgina Rodgers, probationer nurse as from October 25, and Miss Constance Minehan, probationer nurse as from • October 26. Misses Madge Connolly, Nancy Papps and Olga Hogarth bad resigned. Miss Jean Rarrowman and Miss Eileen RevelU were on sick leave. Four candidates sat for the Hospital examination last week. Miss Moffat ’from Greymouth came down and conducted the oral examination. All candidates were successful. There would be five candidates sitting for the State examination in December, Hokitika being the centre this time for the West Coast.'Several months ago the Board passed a requisition for an electric beater, .the price estimated being approximately £6, The actual cost of one installed came to £9, so the matter was held over in the meantime.'Regarding Mandl Ward cubicles, eight screens were required at a cost of approximately £64. The plans and quotations were in thq hands of the secretary. The efficiency

of the Hospital administration had been greatly Improved by the new dispensary arrangements, the prompt delivery of all prescriptions and ward requirements regularly each morning being greatly appreciated by the administrative staff.

On the house Committee's recommendation,' the question of the purchase .of the ward screens was left in the hands of a sub-cbmniittee. , Staff - arrangements were also confirmed and the report was adoptedThe engineer (Mr J. C. Turk) reported on repairs and other work carried ■- but during October in the-hospital and old people's home' buildings, the laundry and * workshops. Regarding the pump water -supply he recommended that a stand-by pump be installed 'when the new .buildings were erected. The night nurses’ cottage had been removed to its new site and the work as specified had been carried out. The Medical Superintendent (Dr B. L. Wilson) reported : In October 1, 57, admitted during month 67. total treated 124, discharged cured 59. relieved 4. deaths 6, in hospital. October 31 551 indoor treatment two months or more 16. Mr Brown reported Dr. Cotter had commenced duties in South Westland on November 1. He reported that the doctor’s salary would be increased by £2OO a year when an agreement, waa reached with the public works employees. ~ The Board would not be liable for any of this amount. , It wa s reported no reply had been received to the advertisement inquiring for a medical officer for Kumara. The Health Department considered that th e salary offered was not sufficient and suggested the Board endeavour. ,to secure a larger contribution from the Kumara people. It was decided to'refer the matter to the Kumara, Medical Association. ' < ; ; A- letter was received from the Labour Bureau approving the appointment of a number of men for work on ,the Hospital farm, as decided on at the > last meeting of. the Board. The appointment of the necessary pien was referred to the chairman and Mr Jamieson. The question of remits for the annual conference was referred to the chairman and secretary.

A sum of £260 was received from the estate of the late Joseph Butler. The (North Canterbury Board, wrote stating it had been proposed to /'reduce Its fees, but this was defeated, and the advice of the practice of other Boards was sought. It was! decided to forward the necessary information. The Cancer Campaign Society wrote regarding the possible increase of persons suffering, .from, this disease in country and baekblock districts, and advising it was prepared to meet expense;? of bringing them to base hospitals for treatment

It was decided to continue the present system of nurses’ uniform allowances, payment only, being made, after the completion o.f twelve months’ service. The chairman reported the sum of £lO2 10s Id had been realised from the Hospital ball which was a very excellent effort. Thanks are due to the ladies who had given such good assistance on these occasions. The money was to b'e devoted to the children’s new ward.

The chairman suggested that some special entertainment should be held later in the year to raise further funds for the children’s ward. It was decided to call a public meeting to consider the matter further.