HOSPITAL BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14981, 29 April 1909, Page 9

HOSPITAL BOARD.

The North Canterbury Hospital Board met yesterday; present— Messrs G. Payling (chairman), W. Dunlop, J. Wolfe, F. Horrell, C. Allison, J. Davidson, J. M. Murray, T. D. Boag, J. Ingram and J. Storry. Mr Horrell moved that the words "children/s ward" should be struck out of th© resolution carried by the Board on March 25, 1908, and that "women's surgical ward" should b© inserted. They did not require the money for tho children's ward, but it would be necessary for tho surgical ward, and the House Committee had recommended that £IBOO should be allocated to the children's ward. Mr Dunlop seconded, the motion, which wag carried. Mr Horrell then moved that £IOOO should be allocated to the women's surgical ward. , Mr Davidson seconded the motion. Mr Allison opposed the motion. He said that the Board had earmarked tho money for the children's ward, and the Board'was practically pledged to spend it there. Mr Payling said that the work of certain ladies and the assistance they had received had relieved the Board of a, lot of its liability in regard to the children's ward, and the money was needed for the surgical ward and for a proper heating system for the institution. '"•■'••« The motion was carried, only Mr Allison voting against it. The question of appointing a resident medical officer for the Consumption. Sanatorium was discussed, Mr Payling asking that the matter should be referred to the Sanatorium Committee. Mr Horrell opposed the idea of ar>pointing a resident medical officer until it was seen that th© home would be a success. : It was a- weaknoss in the Publie Health Act that- they i could not compel consumptive patients to go to the nome, although the disease was infectious ard carried off thousands ©very year. Mr Allieon moved that the matter should be referred to the Sanatorium Committee for report. A medical officer was necessary, and a distinguished specialist should be obtained, and it was impossible to obtain one in the dominion at present. It was an important matter and should b© considered carefully. Mr Payling said that th© matter was all-important, and it was necessary in. the interests of all that th© home should be opened as soon as possible. He had heard that- any numhw cf young men with special knowledge of consumption could be obtained for the home at a salary of £3OO si year, although he did not favour the grinding dovn of medical officers in regard to salaries. He thought that the Board would agree that the homo should bo opened as soon as possible. Mr Horrell, in Teply, said that when the home was proved a suitabl© one

and a success he would vote for a resident medical officer, but until then a medical man could visit the home every week. Tho patients needed fresh air more than medicine and medical officers. The motion was carried. The financial statement showed that the receipts since the previous meeting had amounted to £442 16s Id. Accounts for £B7l 12s 2d were passed for payment.