NASHUA HOSPITAL BOARD

Inangahua Times, 18 December 1931, Page 2

NASHUA HOSPITAL BOARD

The ordinary monthly meeting was held last evening. PresenI—Messrs 1 —Messrs G B Mclnroe, F Seawright, J O'Regan, VV Blackadder, J O Byrne. In the absence of the Chairman, Mr Seawright was voted to the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were-read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read and dealt with as follows : From Cashmere Sanatorium, stating that George T White is showing a little improvement, and that he will not be getting Christmas leave— Received.

From Department of Health, givmg approval for removal of small cottage adjoining the Waiuta Hospital—Received. From Secretary Waiuta Medical Association, stating that they bad arranged for Dr Birktnskaw to commence duties on January Ist, 1932, re notice given to Dr Wicken. 1 The Secretary stated that the [Secretary of the Waiuta Medical Association had informed him that Dr, Btrkinshaw had stated that he would not take up the position at I Waiuta, but that the Waiuta Medical Association were now in communication with another medical man. It was carried that the Waiuta Nurse’s Home be kept open until the resident medical officer arrives. From North Canterbury Association re new scale of charges re radium and deep therapy treatment. It was decided to note to the Department that while expenses all round were being reduced the fees were increased. From J B Auld, Chairman, regretting bis inability to attend the meeting and wishing members of the Board ; the compliments of the season —Re ’ ceived. From K Newcombe, offering to supervise the paiming of the Hospital for the sum of £B, and to complete all necessary repairs—No action taken.

The Secretary stated that all repairs and plumbing had been arranged for—Action endorsed. From Inangahua County Council re Fire Preventtoo week aod that th e fire extinguisher at Hospital should be recharged—Left in the hand- of the Town Committee. Drs Conlon ana Wicken here wai ed nn he Board. Hr m Dr W cken re notice given nt the tertninatioi of his services and tendering his resignation 1 f same and also that o! assistant supt. of Reefton Hospitd. Mr Q’Regan pointed out that the Doctor’s resignation was to 'erroinate (Op February 28. h, and he hoped that

he would withitraw his resignation. Dr Wicken said he had n .t r-ceived notice of the termination from the Waiuta Medical Ass ciation. He als > contended that the Board had btoken their agreement when hey reduced ms visits to Wiiuta to once per fortowht. Dr Conlon pointed uu:‘hat the salary paid Dr Wicken was qui e paiinyabl-, therefore that was the reason he h d decided to resign from the position as Medical Officer for Waiuta.

In reply to Mr Byrne the Secretary stated that Dr Wickeo would have averaged thiee visits per mouth during the past 12 months. Dr Wicken stated that if Dr Birkinshaw was taking over Waiuta from Ist January he would fotego bis salary fo he two months and was willing to term mate his connection on 28th December, 1931. Mr Blackadder considered that the Board should adhere to their resolution re the three months’ notice.

Mr O’Regan sa'd be hoped that Dr Wicken would carry on until the terms ination of the nonet in February. Mr Mclnroe endorsed Mr O’Rrgan’s re marks. The Waiuta deputation from Waiuta info-med the Board that they were quite satisfied with Dr Wicken, hut they contended that they were not getting adequate service lor ihe money they paid. Dr Wicken contended that the Waiuta residents were getting good service The district was not large enough to support two medical men, but with Waiuta it was sufficient.

M-s«rs Byrne and Mclnroe again ask-d Dr W'cken to withdraw bis resignation, the latter stating that if be did so be would call a puolic meeting at Waiuta and have the matter d scuss ed and ask Dr Wick-n to attend. Dr Wicken pointed out that the men at Waiuta were in the employ rf a company which did not favour »i n. If the Bnari d prived the Rerft n medica men of Waiuta, they would have to do something tor thems Ives. MrSeawngbt hoped that Dr Wicken would carry on. Ur Conlon said that the se vice to Waiuta would oot ca-ry on except u ider the ongm l agre ment as prevail ed wi h Dr Church. He wou d not carry on except under a weekly service with a paymini of fist aid fees, »h ch agreement w«s broken in February, 1929.

The t'bairman pointed out that the fi-st aid fee w .s p yah e by the employ, ed. The Board had no tiing to do with tho‘e fees. Dr Conlon said that th it p esence there that eventDg was to po n ou that Dr Wicken w<s not getting suffic-nt 01 the set vices r ndeied. Th y could not carry on on ibose terms. He cun. tended hat the notice as received f om the Secretary terminated Ur Wicken's srrvices on Dec inber 28 h. Mr Mclnroe moved that Dr Wickeo be asked to recon ider his resignation and cany on under the old agreement, and that the Medical Association be asked tn agree to the al-era ton of ibe word *' iosur d ” to “ mju ed ” to -mbe Ur Wicktn to c licet first ai fees, seconded by Mr O’Re^an, Mr Blackadder moved as an amendment that as Dr Wicken has expres-ed a desire to terminate his agreement with ihe Board on December 28, the m 1tor be re/e red o the "aura Medi"« Medieal As-oeia ior, and if r a reply from the Association a me ine be held to reconsider ihe rnatfer. Second d by Mr Byrne. The vo ing was;— Foi; Messrs Blackadder and Byrne; against, Me-srs S.aarght, Mclnroe, Archer, O’Regan. The motion was then pot and carried. 1

Dr Wicken then staled that h e "onld carry on until the 28th February under Ihe amended agreement.

From a Biackwater resident, enclosing 10s off account. From same on same matter, ami asking for time to nav Received. From Hospital Association re National Provident fund —Receiver*. From a Re fton resident asking for further assistance —Decided to grant an increase of 5s per week. From Department of Health re contagious d seases and amended regulations therewith—Received. Overdue accounts were laid before members and it was decided to soe in two cases and in others to give final notice that if amounts were not paid bv January 15'b, those owing would be sued.

TENDERS Tenders for painting Hospital were opened as follows:—F G Lynch, £210; D Wright, £\ 36: L M Carrutbers, Grey, £160; CG Fairball, Grey, £138; Feelty and Close, Grey, £147 ; Ward Bro-1 Inangahua Junction, £2+4 Bs. The lowest tenderej 1 , D Wright, was accepted. GENERAL Mr Blackadder thought the Secretary should take out summonses in cases which were not defended. Mr O’Regan was of the opinion that a lawyer's letter was more effective than ope from the Secretary. Io reply to Mr Byrne, the Secretary stated the solicitor | received ten per cent on all collection. Mr Blackadder moved that the Secretary be given authority to sue for fees, and in the event of defence a solicitor be employed. Seconded by Mr O’Regan and carried. REPORTS Reefton —The Medical Superintendent reported—admitted 13, discharged 10, died nil, remaining in 29, operations 7, anaesthetics 7, births 5, attendances on outpatients nil. Waiuta —Matron Sharpe reported —No. of new outpatients 14, attendances 60, visits 17.

It was decided to grant aid to ■ Chinese resident. It was carried that Mr Austin be appointed supervisor of the painting of the hospital at five per cent, and in tbe event of bis not accepting the position tbe Town Committee appoint a competent man. 1

Before concluding tbe Chairman wished tbe members tbe compliments of the season.

ACCOUNTS ] Reef ton £ S D Receipts 188 15 5 Expenditure Pecuniary Assistance •• 26 10 0 Salaries 167 0 6 Electric Light Coy ••• 9 1 6 N.Z. Drug Coy 23 15 9 Wellington Publishing Coy 0 10 0 Westport News 0 7 6 Fairhall & Co 1 0 0 J Osbourne 0 8 0 J Dick & Sons 19 12 9 N Collins 8 11 0 Harold Bros 41 0 1 W Hobbs 7 4 8 Chalk & Co 15 12 0 Wills & Co 6 18 3 L Lochore 2 5 0 S Austin ••• 5 13 6 Inangahua Times Co 2 5 6 Inangahua Herald 0 10 0 Waiuta Receipts 87 7 6 Expenditure Salaries 26 6 6 Dr ] L Wicken 16 lb 0 N.Z Drug Coy 6 19 5 Waiuta Trading Coy 1 13 6 J Collins 5 8 7 J A Dwyer 0 15 3 R Ronchi 1 7 5 Twomey’s Taxis 2 10 0 £58 16 8