HOSPITAL BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10214, 7 December 1893, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting or the Christchurch Hospital Board was held yesterday afteruco;:; present—Mr Ji. H. Wood (in the ehr.iv),and Messrs R. I). Thomas, H. W. Peryman, E. Mttlooclr, J. Hamilton, W. Pariah, .T. iEeunie, W. Widdowson, T. York, W, Moor and T. Cntier. The Ofcjairman then read the following reports:— amxual uepout. The eighth annual report referred to the fact t.ha-u on coming into office the present Board had to faco the alleged insanitary o? Nos. 1 snd 2 wards, which h&d then been lying unused for some months. On account of the crowded state of: the Hospital, the Board took immediate steps to thoroughly disinfect and renovate these wards, and have them made lit for use. Iu ooucequeaca of the retirement of Dr ,l)a lien A, Dr Q. Murrsy-Aynsley bad been, appointed resident medical officer, and under bis able administration and lectures, great improvements were noticeable ia the nursing staff. A nevi chimney shaft had bean erected in connection with the boilers at a cost of about .£IOO. This bad emsed a great saving in fuel, and had also facilitated the warming and supply of hot water. In June Miss Steele resigned her position of matron, and Miss Maude was appointed to the vacancy. The devotion of this lady to her duties, the excellent state of the nursing staff, and tbe condition of the Hospital generally, all testified to tho wisdom of the Board's choice. Dariug- the year lectures had bean delivered, by the resident medical officer and the matron; and the annual examinar.ics of nurses had been held, and the certificates presented. The election and admission of ladies as probationers had been continued throughout tho year, and the status of the nursing staff bad been greatly improved, and efforts in this direction could be further developed as soo?i as proper accommodation was provided for ,the nurses, A distinctive outdoor uniform was now worn by the nurses, following the custom in vogue at Homo, and the various grades wore designated by tbe terms cistern, nurses and probationers. Steps had been taken, to approach the Board regarding the suppression of contagious: diseases. The Board felt the importance of tbe subject, but 'until accommodation wag provided, with logs! means of detention, it could not see its way to effectually do any good in that direction. Early in the year the Lyttelton casual ward had been placed under the immediate direction of two local medical men. The ward had bean thoroughly renovated, and had been found sufficient for all ordinary requirements. The hospital at Akaroa bad bean most useful to the surrounding district, and had accommodated a number of patients. Dr Bolger having resigned his position as medical officer. Dr Atterbury was appointed in his in his place. The grounds and buildings were in first-class order, the latter having been roofed with iron and renovated throughout. Tho Board had endeavoured during the year to obtain reliable information of tho coet of a really good electric lighting installation. A large annual expenditure would he saved by a couap*ratively email outlay. This would also have the effect of materially improving tho lighting of the building, and the vitiation of the air in the wards by consumption of gas completely avoided. The Board expressed its obligation to the Hospital Lady Visitors' Association, who had materially helped convalescent patients by sending them to Sumner and elsewhere, sad by other generous services to needy patients. Tho important matter of tho NurseT Home required more thau passing mention, and it would be as well to review the Board’s action on this question, Having in view the urgent neeaasity for the Nurses’ Home in connection with the Hospital, tho Board first secured the approval of tho Domain Board, and the Minister in charge of the department, together with the Inspector of Hospital?, of a site within the Hospital grounds. This site was not available tor the purpose under the existing Hospital Act. The Board therefore had a Bill prepared and presented to the House of Representatives vesting tho selected site iu the Board for the purpose of a Home. The Hon W. P. Reeves undertook the charge of this Bill, and succeeded in getting it passed by both Houses and it has now become law. The whole of , the honorary medical staff of tho Hospital have in writing recommended this site as bsing admirably adapted for the purpose. The alternative site proposed to bo utilised at tho junction of tho Riccartcn and Lower Lincoln road had been twice under careful consideration, and the Board had on each occasion decided on the garden site. The Inspector of Hospitals having strongly advised tho Board to erect a homo on the Haas of a building which bad already proved a great success, a subcommittee was appointed to taka into consideration the accommodation required, and with the assistance of Mr Maddison prepared plans which were submitted to tho Board. The Board adopted these plans, and tho erection of tho building was simply ia abeyance until sufficient funds were forthcoming to justify tho Board in proceeding with the erection on the site already selected. Subscriptions had already been promised, and tbe Board had the assurance of the Minister in • charge that a subsidy equal to 24s in the pound will be granted. The plans submitted had received the approval o! the Domain Board &s required under .the Act of 1893. The operating theatre had been fitted with the latest electrical appliances for cases that required more delicate treatment such as electricity afforded. The honorary medical and surgical staff had performed most excellent work, all having acted with one object ia view, and no question of any kind, had arisen to disturb the pleaeaufc 'relations existing. The Board desired to thank Mr Hilson, the honorary masseur, for hia successful work. Indebtedness was expressed to the various helpers who had provided, entertainments for the inmates of the inetitution. Tho new Board cams iu under favourable financial conditions, notwithstanding the increased expenditure during the year, which wes to a groat extent attributable to the more regular payments of the contributory bedies aad Government subsidies. From Dec. I, 1892, to Nov. 80, 1593. 1360 patients had keen admitted. Amougst this number 271 operatious, major and minor, under amesthetic?, hud been performed. In the out-patients’ department. the attendances averaged 90 per weak, and 200 cases were treated for minor operations in addition to tho number above stated, Tho financial position of the Board at present is ro follows:—Contributions from local bodies due £1993 Is fid, subsidy on above £1993 la fid, subsidy available bat nob yet applied for .£298 Gs, total £4282 7s lOd. Against this there is &a overdraft of £2lO, and accounts owing of about £SOO, leaving an approximate net balance of £3500, with, which to curry on to the cud of the fin stoic. I year. Under this item it was pointed out that, tho Board received very few bequests fcn:‘i j attests' foes, the kt-Vcr amounting to only £290 since the beginning of tho financial year. ■ MfcDICAU OFFICER'S BMFORT. The report or tun Resident Medical Office:-, irons Oct. HI, 1895, so Nov. 1, 1883, we a us followsX beg to lay before the Board the following report, containing such tabulated ard other information as will, [ ItUjt, exhibit the work of this institution daring The year 1892-93. 1. The vectil-V ioa of all the 'wards ban been abared, with tho result that only oao cate of pneumonia him arisen with tho Hospital {this cave was that of a weakly infant aged' fifteen months); whereas formerly, as I pointed out iu my report, on the subject, several esses arose. 2. I would point out to liio Board that tho pressure on tbe Hospital accommodation is becoming excessive, the average age o£ the population is mcr&uiag therefore tho diseases of old ago will become aoro numerous your by year, and whereas in other centres benevolent asylums and infirmaries exist, in Chrktohuroh .there is no such provision. There tiro four ways of remedying this eiale of affairs: (a) Building new wards.

(h) building a convalescent boons, (c) building an infirmary or obtaining tho use of public buildings (such as tha Addindcon Gao!) fij?. infirmary patients, (cJ) obtaining tho co-operation of the various religious bodies, ao that members of such, bodies may bo trained as ‘ district nurses,’ and in this manner pcor patients may be nursed in their own homes. Two eye wards, male and female, aro urgently required, as tbo light, &c., in tbs general wards is nnsaited to such eases. 3. As it has been urged that inebiiate and venereal patients should bo sent to tbo Hospital, I beg to state that at present I have no accommodation for the extra staff which would be required for rnoh patients. (1. Ab tho question of stimulants used ia tho hospital has been raised, I beg to state that all the cards are checked weekly by me; that it is impossible, for any misappropriation of the stimulant.! to occur without being discovered. Lastly that owing to tbo miaamic character of the climate of Christchurch, I find p&tienta require moro stimulant than in England; and this opinion is held by all tha medical practitioners hero of whom I Lava made inquiries. 5. I would ask tho Board to thank those many kind frienda who have contributed to the patients’ amusement. G. I beg to submit tables showing tho work done ia the hospital from Oct. 81, 1892, to Nov. 1, 1893.” The statements attached to the report showed that the number of patients admitted during the year had been 1217, and the number of deaths, not including those cases in which inquests were held, GB. The number of operation!! had been 271. The following comparative ctatemcnti from the Inspector’s report were submitted :

This terminated the businean of the old Board. VOTES OP THANKS. Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring member.*, the Chairmen and tho Secretary and staff, who briefly returned thanks. The new members then took their easts. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN, Mr Hamilton moved, and Mr Peryman. eeconded—“That Mr Moor be Chairman for the ensuing year.” Messrs Parish and Rennie proposed Mr Wood. On a chow of hands being taken Mr Moor was declared elected, and on taking hia seat returned thanks to the members. Messrs Moor, Langdown, Wood, Widdow* son, Hamilton, Gray, and Peryman were appointed a House and Finance Committee. It was decided to advertise for applications for positions on the honorary medical staff, and to hold a special meeting on Dec. 20 to consider those applications. The meeting then terminated. [Per Press Association}. DUNEDIN, Dec. G. At tho annual meeting of the Charitable Aid and Hospital Board, Mr J. Robin was' re-elected Chairman. In reviewing the working of the Act, ho said that there was a tendency in all institutions except the Female Refuge to increased expenditure. A good deal had boon said about the Act, but very little in its favour, but to his mind no scheme had been put forward so good as that uader the present Act. If they could remove the children of paupers from, the influence of pauperism much good would be effected.

Hospital. Number jtfnml>er of Percentage Admitted Deaths. of Deaths. Auckland 10.12 110 10-44 Christchurch... 1083 76 6-93 Dunedin 89.1 105 11-73 Wellington 051 70 7-35 Hospital. Daily average iHents, Donations, cost per patient.! Bequests, &c. s. <1 . i £ s. d. Auckland ■i 4* 1 2875 13 11 Christchurch... 3 10 ! 709 3 e Dunedin 4 2 1119 19 3 Wellington 8 10} I 3702 15 6