HOSPITAL BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17285, 28 September 1916, Page 5

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The North Canterbury Hospital ana Charitable Aid Board met yesterday; present—Mr F. Horrell (chairman), the Hon R. Moore, M.L.C., Mesdames Wilson, Green and Christie, and Messrs T. D. Boag, W. H. Cooper, W. W. Tanner, J. Andrew, W. M’Millan, 0. Bradley, W. P. Spencer, G. Andrews, R. Evans, F. G. Norton and H. •J. Otley. SHELTER SHEDS CONST] MPTIVE PATIENTS. Tho Westland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote regarding the provision of- shelters for consumptive patients from tho West Coast-, in accordance with a recent suggestion of the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon G W ? . Russell). It was decided to refer the matter to the Public Health Committee, the chairman pointing out that the proposal would considerably increase the expenditure of the board. Other speakers said that they thought the Government; should be responsible for tho expenditure, and that no share should fall on Canterbury people, except; for Canterbury patients. Mr Horrell said that they would soon have to consider the removal of the men’s terraces at the Sanatorium higher up the hill, further away from the women’s quarters. Mr Tanner said that so long as Can terbury was generous enough to take outside patients, so long would other districts take advantage of such generosity. It was time a definite piolicy was laid down and adhered to. HOSPITAL COMMITTEE.

The Hospital Committee’s report stated that the hospital patients’ fees collected since last meeting wore £590 11s, and Tor the corresponding period last year £689 12s Bd. The. Friendly Societies’ Dispensary Board asked for a renewal of the agreement of the “Hospital Free Beds” scheme for another year dating from December 1 next. The committee recommended, the renewal. The committee had under consideration the question of tho X-ray department and suggested’that an X-ray mechanic should be appointed. The hours of the engagement would be four daily; this time being deemea sufficient to meet the present demands of the department. If this recommendation were adopted by tho board it would be necessary to dispense with the honorary position of radiologist which was held by Dr Inglis. The establishment of a mechanical department in connection with the dental department had proved successful and the board was now recommended to permanently appoint Mr O’Zanne. The three years’ engagement with Mr Ross, the assistant in the pathological laboratory, terminated at the beginning of August. The committee suggested that the services of Mr Ross should be retained. The report was adopted.

MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT.

The Medical Superintendent’s report stated that during August 291 patients’ had been admitted and 278 discharged and 24 died, leaving 21$ remaining in the Hospital on August 31. Outpatients’ cases totalled 293, outpatients’ attendances being 1578. The number of operations under antesthotics was 230. The number of massage cases by masseur was 51, and the number of treatments 486. During the month the daily average number of patients was 223.3, the highest average number for any one month. Ward VIII. had to bo closed on account of scarlet fever—two cases occurred —but it was open again now. There were thirty-six treatments in the venereal diseases’, department during the month, representing seventeen patients. The report was adopted.

PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE. The Public Health Committee’s report stated that the Health Inspectors reported inquiries during the month into 190 cases of scarlet fever, eleven of diphtheria, one of enteric fever, sixteen of tuberculosis, one of erysipelas, three of septicaemia, one of hydatids, one of cerebro-spinal meningitis, one of infantile paralysis, and one of ophthalmia meonatorium. There were also twenty-four suspected cases of infectious disease inquired into. The number of disinfections or other inquiries totalled 627. The Heathcote County replied to the deputation from the board which asked to have attention given to the footway leading to the Sanatorium, stating that it had been decided to contribute onethird of the cost of constructing a footbridge over tho Heathcote River at Norwood Avenue, provider! the balance was paid by the City Council or the board; the estimated cost was £3O. During the month the Minister of Hospitals paid a visit to the Sanatorium and Coronation Hospital; everything was found to be quite satisfactory. It had become necessary for the board to seriously consider tho question of the possibility of providing more accommodation for shelters at the Sanatorium, practically all the terraces having been taken up. Tho report was adopted,' excepting the clause recommending a contribution towards the cost or the footbridge as Norwood Avenue, which was struck ofat HOSPITAL STATISTICS. The statistics of the cottage hospital showed that there were no patients at the Akaroa hospital, and none had been admitted during the month to tho Lyttelton casualty ward. At tho

Kaikoura hospital four patients were under treatment.

The report of the pathological department stated that the total examinations were 436, hospital cases 278, external cases 155, post mortems 3. Tho dental department’s report stated that the number of fillings was 170, dressings 65, other operations 182, operations under anaesthetics 67, total number of operations 419. patients supplied with artificial dentures 16, total number of attendances 548, number of fresh patients examined 112. The Sanatorium statistics for the month showed that six patients had been admitted during August, one discharged and one died, leaving seventyseven in residence on ' August; 31. A man transferred to the General Hospital was n soldier sent to the Sanatorium from Feat’nerston Camp with a diagnosis of suspected tuberculosis. IVo days later ho developed measles. As the result of his admission to tho Sanatorium two other persons contracted measles, including one of the nurses who attended to him.v

During the month five patients had been admitted to the Coronation Hospital, two had been discharged jnd four died, leaving forty-one in residence on August 31.

Tho figures for the tuberculosis dispensary showed that during the month there wero 120 attendances at tho dispensary, and fifty-nine persons called for information. Ten new cases were notified, and three houses were notified for disinfection. Tho nurse paid fifty-eight visits to patients in their own homes. * INSTITUTIONS COMMITTEE.

The Institutions Committee’s report stated that refunds on account of maintenance at t}ie various institutions for the month of August were:— Tuarangi £ll 13s 4d, Female Refuge £47 5s lOd, Memorial Home £145 3s 4d, Orphanage £7 7s. | Reports from the various institutions showed that matters were very satisfactory. Both at Tuarangi and tho Memorial Home the institutions were full, and no sooner did a vacancy occur in either of these homes than there wero applicants already' waiting to fill the vacancy. The report was adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE.

The Finance Committee’s report stated that accounts amounting to £3338 were approved. The treasurer’s statement of receipts and expenditure showed a debit balance of £4949 10s 3d. The Government subsidy due was £4902 14s 3d. The consent of the Minister had been received to the new drainage work at the infectious diseases hospital, Bottle Lake, and' tho work was being rapidly pressed on. Amended plans had been received for the maternity ward at Kaikoura Hospital, and they had been submitted to the Minister for his approval, which was accorded subject to their final review by tho Inspector General’s Department. Tenders had been received for the erection of the extension to the infectious diseases hospital, and that of Mr J. Searle was accepted at £2382. Tho report was adopted.