HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4406, 18 October 1934, Page 1

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

MEETING OF BOARD

ADOPTION OF REPORTS. Palmerston N., Oct. IC. The monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board was held yesterday afternoon, Mr J. KHornblow presiding. Others present were Mrs L. A. Abraham, Messrs L. T. McLean, D. Collis, J. Hodgens, \Y. Howell, M. A. Moody, J. Boyce, A. E. Mansford, O. A. Monk, V. E. Smith, R. L. C. Aitchison, G. 1. Catley and F. J. Ryder. On the recommendation oi tii-e exeeutive, the board accepted a tender of £135 15s for re-roofing the fever ward block. A payment of 2J- per. cent. of the estimated cost ol the chronic ward and administration block was approved for professional services by the Palmerston North Guild of Registered Architects. The managing-secretary (Mr A. J. Phillipps) reported as follows: “.Since the last meeting the remaining relief work on the farm has been completed except that a few men are being kept on to do some clearing op around the bank and on the accretion where there is some noxious growth to be cleared. I have transferred some of the men to the Hospital with the foreman for a period of about three weeks, where they are undertaking the preparation of the site for the administration block under the direction of the architect. The whole of the turf is being lifted and utilised in other parts of the grounds and all the top soil is being saved. Good progress has been made on the painting work on the buildings at Awapuni, and with the work on the renovations to the maternity staff quarters. The contractor for re-roofing the fever wards has commenced work. The specification'has already been prepared by the city engineer for asphalting paths and r drives. I should he glad to have directions as to whether the work should be started before Christmas or whether it would be advisable to wait until January. It would be decidedly inconvenient if the tenderer started work and did not finish before the Christmas period, as there is very heavy traffic in the Hospital grounds at Christmas time and when we have any tarring work going on we always have considerable difficulty in preventing damage to the floor coverings in the various buildings. lam pleased to be able to report that offers have been received to take up the whole of the debenture issue of £ll,500, the term being twenty years and the rate of interest 3J per cent.”— The report was adopted, the matter of the asphalting being left in the managing-secretary’s hands. The medical superintendent (Dr. F. Ward) reported that Miss C. Phillips had commenced duty as bacteriological assistant on September 27. There were 197 patients in hospital at Ihe end of September, 257 having been admitted during the month. Some 265 had been discharged and 7 had died. Three cases of scarlet fever had been admitted. Admissions to the maternity annexe during the month had numbered 15, and there were 50 attendances at the ante-natal clinic.

The matron (Miss J. McGliie) reported that there had been no alterations in the staff, and the health of staff members was good. Donations of papers had been received from the Cosmopolitan Club, and of books from Mr J. Menzies.

The matron of the Old People’s Home (Miss A. E. Griffin) reported that there were 38 inmates. The Palmerston North Sunshine Club had visited the home, providing a much appreciated entertainment and also afternoon tea for the inmates. Assisted by the ladies’ auxiliary of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Miss Binder had celebrated her annual birthday party with the inmates. Tea and gifts had been received from the Sunshine Club, also from Miss Binder and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, clothing and magazines from Mrs Gillies, and periodicals from Mr A vein, Mr Rainforth and Mrs Cameron (Waiiuna). The reports were adopted. RELIGIOUS SERVICES.

The question of the policy followed in permitting religious observances in the institution was discussed by the board, when the office-bearers of the United Evangelical Church wrote asking for the opportunity to hold a Christian service in the Hospital once quarterly at a time to be mutually arranged. They stated that they were denied the right by the Council of Christian Congregations because they were not members of that body. The managing-secretary stated that at present services were arranged in rotation by the Council of Christian Congregations. Though the consent of all patients was required under the Hospital by-laws before the services could be conducted, the services had become more or less a routine, and it appeared that the time was opportune for a complete review of the position. Personally, he had received complaints from patients at odd times concerning persons going through the wards distributing certain kinds of tracts. The chairman: But I thought that was done away with. “We have had difficulty,” commented the managing-secretary. Mr Maiisford inquired if they were going to allow the Council of Christian Congregations to decide the position while the by-laws were being investigated. If there was no objection raised by patients, ho did not see why any religious organisation should not be allowed to visit the institution.

The managing-secretary informed the board that the by-laws governing the position provided that no person might read aloud or conduct public services in the institution wthout first obtaining the consent of the medical superintendent and the unanimous consent of the patients in the particular ward concerned.,

Mr Hodgens suggested that before definite action was taken the records be searched for any resolutions, apart from by-laws, dealing with the-matter. The managing-secretary said that the by-laws at present in. existence were impracticable in. operation. The chairman said 'it was earnestly hoped .to have a chapel at the institution some, day.. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Ryder, to conform with the by-laws governing religious observances at the institution.