HOSPITAL BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16742, 24 December 1914, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board mot yesterdey; present*—Mr F. Horrell (chairman),. Mesdnmes Christie and Wilson, the Hon R. Moore and Messrs S. Andrew, I- Andrew, T. D. Boag, O. Bradley, I). M’Millan, R, Moore, J. D. Hall, J. Ashley, W. Spencer, J. H. Davison, H. B. Sorensen, W. W. Tanner. H. J. Otley and G. Scott. The Public Health Committee reported that the. Health Inspector had inquired during November into thirty-nine cases of scarlet lever, eleven of diphtheria, thirteen of tuberculosis, two of erysipelas, one of septicaemia, one of puerperal septicaemia and eight of chicken pox. Three hundred and twelve other inspections or inquiries wore also made. The total number of patients in Bottle Lake Hospital was twenty-three. The inquiry by tlm Wairewn County Council with regard to a district nurse being established in that district was receiving consideration. Nurse Maude was prepared to visit the locality so soon as arrangements can be made for a meeting there. The. committee was forwarding particulars regarding the appointment of a. district nurse to the other outlying districts, and it was hoped that eventually a nurse would be established in all thoso parts of the Board’s districts where nursing assistance was not readily obtainable. The question of it siie for the Open-air Home for Children, and also the committee’s report to the Board on public health matters were at present in abeyance as it was hoped that the committee would have an early opportunity of meeting the Minister of Health and discussing these and other matters with him. A letter had been received from the Waiparn County Council stating that the Council had delegated its powers with regard to sanitary inspections to the Board under the Public Health Act. The report was adopted. The Hospital Committee reported that efforts were being made to obtain the services of an assistant dental surgeon at £250 per annum, but so far no applications had been received. The administration buildings were nearing completion, and the fittings and furnishing were well in hand. The report was adopted. The Finance Committee reported that there was a credit balance in hand of £512 Gs 10d\ The Government subsidy of £llO9 Gs 7d was due. The plans for the proposed honio for children suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis had been laid before the Open Air Home for Children Fund Committee, and were approved, and the committee was prepared to hand over to the Board the necessary money for the erection so soon as the money was required. The matter in connection with the Open Air Homo was referred back to a joint committee of the Public Health and Finance Committees, with power to .net as soon as the Government had approved of the plans, and the remainder of the report was adopted. The Institutions Committee reported that the matron of the F email Refuge had tendered her resignation, owing to her approaching marriage, and the committee wished to express the highest appreciation of tho valuable services sin had rendered to the Board. The new building at tho Orphanage would probably be completed about, the New Year, and arrangements were being made for obtaining the necessary furnishings. The report was adopted. Dr Duncan reported that there were twenty-one patients at flic Bottle Lake Hospital, and there had been one death during the month. The conditions ni tho hospital had .been greatly improved during the year, but there was stil'j need" for a small discharge ward, where patients could spend the night, before they left the hospital after having hna their bath. This, he was convinced, would do much to prevent the occurrence of return oases, as at present the patients had their bath on the day they left, and so ran the risk of getting nasal catarrh, which was the causo of most return cases. The report was received.