WAIRAU HOSPITAL BOARD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 65, 17 March 1911, Page 3

WAIRAU HOSPITAL BOARD.

. The Wairau Hospital Board met yesterday afternoon, the members present being: Messrs W. B. Parker (Chairman), J. J. White, D. Bishell, iW. Murray, J. J. Corry, A. Weaver, D. Girdwood, F. Birch, and A. McRae. '" "

The Chairman's action in adjourning the meeting from the previous Thursday was approved. THE SISTIJR.

Mr Murray said that he would like to see the Chairman and Mr 'Corry appointed to meet Miss Philpotts; the recently-appointed Sister at the Hospital, when she arrived. The Chairman said that Miss Philpotts had arrived, and was at the institution.

"FOREIGN" PATIENTS

The Secretary brought lip the matter of sending notices -to outside institutions concerning patients ~ who did not belong to this district. He explained that previously the Matron' had sent notices only to til© Picton Hospital Board. v <

It was decided, on the motion of Mr Corry, to ask the Matron, to be sure in future to send out notices of each patient who entered £he institution, from other hospital districts, and also to advise the Secretary immediately the-notices were sent out.

J THE- FEEBLE-MINDED

The Education Department forwarded a lengthy circular dealing with the education of children of feeble mind, which was received.

TIIE COTTAGE HOSPITAL

The Secretary of the Havelock Cottage Hospital wrote forwarding a cheque for £1 9s 9d, the proceeds of a concert held in aid of the hospital. The,.'Committee'' applied for £10 for secretarial assistance for the Havelock Committee.

Mr White; suggested that Mr Weaver give the Board some information in regard to this item for secretarial duties.

Mr Weaver said that lie did not know any more about it than did Mr White. It was true that he had heard it mentioned previously. He understood that the Chairman (Mr Taylor) was a busy man, and that the secretarial assistance was required to relieve him of some of his hospital business.

The Chairman said he thought that this application- was a • little premature, because it had been1 decided by the Board that the Cottage Hospital be giveii only 12 months' trial, and this period expired on March 31st. Mr Weaver gave notice that at the next meeting of the Board he would move that the Cottage Hospital be continued in its present form. Mr Corry moved, and Mr Bishell seconded, that the application for a grant for secretarial assistance be not entertained at present. -r-Carried.

MEDICAL REPORT

The meaical officer (Dr Bennett) reported that the number of patients in the -Hospital at the end of January was 17—9 males and 8 females. The number admitted during February month was 22—15 males and 7 females. Eighteen were discharged and two died, leaving a total of' 19 in the institution to1 date.

THE HOSPITAL VISITED

The Chairman reported that a visit had been paid the hospital on Wednesday, and that a number of improvements were necessary. There, were a number of probationers required, as the Hospital was understaffed. The Matron had suggested that the secretary should advertise for probationers. He had asked the Matron why those whose names had been placed on the list should not be appointed, and she had replied that none of thiem were desirable.

Mr Corry said it was an unfair 'thing for the Matron to suggest that probationers be ; advertised for when there were applicants who had been waiting for a considerable period. He was of opinion that the Board would not agree to this proposal of the Matron, which /would be borne in mind by the Board who would not permit this sort of thing to go on. The Chairman moved that the secretary advertise for orobatibners.

Mr Weaver seconded the' motion pro forma, and said he thought that those who had been on the list should receive preference. Mr Corry moved an amendment that the names of the ladies on the list be taken in order of priority.., He thought they should be given a trial. ,

Mr Birch said it should be ascertained1 whether * the ladies whose names had been on the list for some time were available, and if not that an advertisement be inserted in the paper calling for applications for the position of probationers. Mr Murray seconded the amendment, which was carried.

Mr Birch moved that in the event ••of the present applicants not being available that the secretary invite applications for the vacancies. Mr Gorry seconded the motion, which was carried.-

The question of appointing the probationers was -left to. the Chairman and the Visitine; Committee.

CONCRETE DRAINS

It was decided to invite tenders for the construction of some concrete drains at the Hospital.

THE SEDDON NURSE

A deputation consisting of the Rev. Mr' Finlayson and Mr C. Ferguson waited upon the Board and asked that some arrangements be made in the direction of providing the Seddon district nurse with a cottage for the purpose of receiving maternity cases which could not be treated at their homes. Mr Finlayson explained i>hat the Seddon Committee' had provided the nurse with a furnished cottage, and they wanted the Board to take over the liability of £28, the cost of the furniture.

Mr Corry asked what salary this nurse was receiving.

Mr Finlayson said she was receiving £150 a year. The Secretary said the salary paid to the district nurse was £100, with £50-per annum house allowance. Mr Finlayson said that the nurse was told she would receive £150 per annum, or she would not have accepted the position.

The Secretary read the conditions governing the appointment of Nurse Warnock, which stated that ■ the salary would be £100 with £50 house allowance.

Mr Corrv pointed . out that the nurse had been receiving at the rate of £130 wr year in addition to being provided with a house. This was entirely wrong, and he moved that the conditions governing the Seddon nurse as drawn up by Dr Valintine be adhered to.

Mr Bishell seconded the motion which was carried.

SUPPLIES

The Committee aiwointed to deal with the tenders for supplies at the Hosoital renorted that the following tenders had been accepted:—Meat, Messrs Adams Bros.j bread, Mrßrad-

dock: milk, Mrs MeKenna; groceries, : Mr J. Benning; funerals, Messrs Holcroft and Co; aerated waters, the | Marlboroughi Brewery Company. Mr Corry explained that Mr Whiteford's tender for the supply of drugs had been accepted subject, to Dr fValintine/s approval. He also reported,/that the Committee had decided J&> depute the Matron to obtain samples of .-the draper" and clothing required, and that these be deposited at the secretary's office, and (that the drapers^ be asked to tender Oh. these samples. Mr Girdwood' opposed this, saying that it was a silly thing for th 6 Board | to expect the Matron to go round theJ town getting : a blanket here and something else somewEere else. The decision of the Committee was approved. VISITING COMMITTEE. Messrs Bishell, White,* and Corry j were appointed the Visiting Com- ! mittee for the ensuing month. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £320 12s were passed for payment. The meeting then terminated.