HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1940, Page 7

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING HEHD. The Chairman (Mr E. W. Heenan), presided at a meeting of the Westland Hospital Board, held at 8 o’clock last evening, when there were also present Messrs A. R. Elcock, J. Fox, T. W. Duff, W. A. Jamieson, J. A. Murdoch, J. Turner, A. Dale, G. Heinz, and E. V. Hughes (secretary). An apology was made for Mr G. H. Chapman. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and outward correspondence read and approved. . , ' The Hospital Boards’ Association wrote regarding the medical staffing of hospitals, also enclosing minutes of meetings, memorandum on nursing matters, and suggesting a minimum scale of salaries of nursing staff.—Received. The second part of the letter was referred to town members to report. The Department of Health wrote regarding the heating of Westland. Hospital. —Received. | From same, regarding iron lungs. Received. It was decided to send letters of appreciation to the Sir w .Saviill and Albion Shipping Company and the owners of the mv. Hokitika, for the free carriage of the “iron lung'’ received by the institution from Lord Nuffield. Sister E. Moneo wrote advising that she is vacating the Waifto cottage Received, and decided to make inquiries regarding the title and report to the next meeting.

Mayor of Kuniara and Kumara Medical Association both wr.te protesting against the sale of the Kumara doctor’s residence. —Received, and left in hands of Chairman.

The North Canterbury Hospital Board wrote regarding the sanatorium agreement.—Received and decided to request a more specific agreement.

The Kumara Medical Association wrote regarding the appointment of a doctor at Kumara. In a discussion which followed receipt of the letter, it was stated that the board ‘lcoht* something must be done to meet the position, and the genuine grievance of the Kumara ratepayers. As f’r as (lie board was concerned, said the Chairman, it was prepared to find its proportion of the salary to provide a doctor resident at Kumara. It was suggested that where country patients came to town to interview, a idoetor they be given prior consideration over town people. This suggestion met with the general approval of members, especially after the Chairman reported that lie knew of three patients from Kuniara who had visited the town to interview a doctor, but none bad been

available, and they were obliged return without having gained an terview. It was finally decided

write the Association, and inform'it that the request for a doctor liad received the sympathetic consideration of every board member, and that the Association be requested to inform the board as soon as possible when the Social Security Department signifies its consent towards the provision of a doctor, upon receipt 01 which information the board would be prepared to contribute its proportion. In the meantime, it was decided to approach the town doctors and endeavour to arrange convenient times for interviewing country patients, or for preference to be given country patients when they journey to town to consult a doctor. Sister J. A. McCallum wrote tendering her resignation" to take effect one month from March 1, and thanking the staff and board for their kindness and consideration during her association with the institution. The board received the resignation with regret, members speaking highly of Sister McCallum and the splendid service rendered by her during a term of seven or eight years, with the institution. The opinion was expressed that the board was a real loser by her departure, and it was left to the secretary to write a letter of appreciation to Miss McCallum.

ACTING-MATRON’S REPORT. Sister J. A. McCallum, actingmatron for the month of February, reported that the highest number of patients on any one day was 77, the lowest 47, and the average for the month, 66. The number of operations was 44, X-rays 55, massage and physio theraphy treatments 160, and the number of screenings, 4. Miss M. E. Andersen, Sister Fowler, Nurses Taylor and Kennedy are on holidays.

Holidays are due to Sisters McCallum and Revell, and Miss M. Harris Sister Steadman resigned on February 29.

Misses H. Hilliarv and R. Deni commenced as wardsmaids on l'ob ruary 15 and February 22 respective

Misses. E. MeVicar,.. Kenning-,- and M. Martin, resigned -on .FffUny?r.v $)., Miss M. Tvnapp resigned o ( u 14'/' Miss "e’ jMoriarty tynpj leave.—Tim; report was.jrepejy.ed and adopted. ~.. /.:■ ; . : y .; ; .

MEDICAL SUPER INTENo)ENT’S

REPORT

Dr. 13. L. Wilson. Medical Superintendent, reported f.r the month <>l February, as follows: Remaining ii hospital, January 31. 1940, 76. Number admitted during February, 6‘3 Total treated for the month, 139. Re mailing in hospital, February 29. 49 —The report was received and adopt od.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

to ]\| r J. A. Turk (engineer) reported in- that repairs carried out during the to m( ,nth of February were as.follows:

Ejector pump and steam trap ealorilier room, steriliser steam jpipn oTiliams Ward, trap Ellis Ward, checking heating system. Cistern domestic quarters, hot water pipe servery. Renewing main steam line isolation ward. Heater in the office, locks and ; fitting' keys kitchen and nurses’ home., Floor polisher, lights Ellis Ward, ' lines switch house. Renewing spouting laundry, {repairing pipe duct main steam line. Flashing outlet pipe,'- cottage, nurses’ hotm main drain, arid connecting watei line to garbage bin, repairing, hospital supply pump ) range William; Ward,* and gliding window Elli. Ward balcony.—Received and- adopt 'ed.' ' ■' ! " ;;1 v ''' ! '[ MANAGER’S REPORT. ’ fThe farm manager (Mr H. Shing•lesf reported that for the month o February approximately (25 gallons of milk, and 225 pints of cream wen supplied to the hospital. Also 14 dozen eggs, 26 cockerels and various vegetables. Eight pigs were sold, om for the hospital, two to the loca butcher, and five to tile Addingtoi market. Once again wet weather retarded things generally, but fence re pairs were carried out. Two paddock of hay' were about ready to cart in I). Stokes has been at camp, but i; expected back' on Monday. The following produce was sold t< the hospital for the month: Milk 1 25 gallons. Cream, 225 pints. Pig sold, 8. Eggs, 144 dozen. Vegetables 1762165. Cockerels, 26. The tota value of produce sold to the in stitution, was £129/14/s.—Receiver and adopted.. GARDENER’S REPORT.

Mr J. H. Hardy, gardener, report t u that -during a February, garde, operations were > rendered difficult 01 account of the heavy rainfall exper icncedA Lawns had been mown, am edges trimmed apd required swept. Gravel paths 'had been scarified and raked. Spring bulbs were be girning to show through. -Receive! and adopted. TREASURER’S STATEMENT.

The Treasurer (Mr E. V. Hughe.-., reported that; receipts during tin month of February totalled £1123/4/. (including £543/6/- in-patients’ fee.) Expenditure amounted to £2179/6/6 There w-as a debit balance at tin bank of £1571/6/9.—The report , wui received and adopted, q Accounts amounting to £1796/11/-? were passed for . payment. Mr Heinz reported that ,the foundations for the garage to house tin ambulance, had,.been completed, anc the erection of the building couk now be started. The roofs of the hospital wards were ready for painting which should be undertaken immediately. Spouting around the Old People’s Home buildings was in pool condition, and required repairing. The board room roof had been strengthened by bracing and the rooi repaired,-and 'was now ready lor tarring. The walls were also ready fni printing. It was decided to authorise Mj Heinz to have the painting of tin ward roofs undertaken without delay, and that 5 a .price be obtained, for the concreting of a pathway between the nurses’ home and the hospital. On /the recoinmendai/ion of the Matron, it was decided that Staff Nurses Inder, Grenopand V. Clausen, be appointed junior sisters as from April 1. It was decided that hoard members ’n> photographed on the occasion of tiie centenary year.

The meeting closed at 9.15 p.m