HOSPITAL BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1074, 22 July 1924, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. SECRETARY’S REPORT. The monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital and t 'haritabte Aid Board was concluded after the “Standard ’ went to press yesterday afternoon. The report of the managing secretary. Mr -V. J. Phillips, stated that the linking up of the hospital with the borough electric supply had been proceeded with during the month Arrangements were made for a line of polos to he erected from Terrace street across the paddocks. This line of entry was selected a- ii would not into! fere with future extensions to buildings. An electric firm had been proceeding with the repair work to the old iistallaiton. Owing to the fact that a suitable motor generator tel could not readily be pro cured (all those offering in response to advertisement proving unsuitable) be had arranged, after c< limitation with Mr Waters, that a temporary main should lie run from the engine-room to the distribution hoard in the kitchen block to enable the X-ray and massage departments to continue using direct current from the liospital flatteries when the whole ui the other electrical equipment was changed over to alternating current, supplied b> the borough. lie recommended th it nine meters be installed at various points in the hi‘t:-

t lit ton. The current trout the _ borough station would be switched on within the next tow days The Potter Board va-

proceeding with the bilking up of the Awapuni Home. '1 he painting work had been proceeding satisfactorily. I ertni'i lengths of the hot water lit!" were more or less defective, and lie considered that they should bo replaced with solid drawn copper tul>ing. The steam draught method c.f tiring, which had been work-tig on. one boiler pinto June L was resulting in a saving in the cost of fuel of apuro-tiiuately 6s in the £l. Tns boiler which had been out of commission had been overhauled, and the inspector of machinery had just completed bis annual survey. When this boiler was again in commission, the other boiler would then be thoroughly inspected to ascertain whether any damage was likely to result from continuing the steam draught.—Adopted. MATRON’S REPORT. •

In her monthly report the matron recommended that Sister D. Chittenden, who was trained at the hospital sonic years ago. and who had been relieving home sister, he appointed to the position. Nurses it. Wells and A. Wilson had completed their period of probation, and she re commended that they be appointed to the staff for training. Probationer Breen bad resigned owing to ill-health while Probationers Boyce and Retell has asked to he allowed to resign. Nurses Wereta, I-!eJ-pir. and Whitehead had been successful at the Stale examination in June. —Adopted GENERAL.

Accounts amounting to £3555 12s ad were passed for payment. The chairman s annual report was presented and it was decided that copies be forwarded to all contributing local bodies. The Director-General of Health wrote forwarding sketch plans for the department's suggested additions to the nurses’ home, which provide for 20 extra bedrooms and additional conveniences. The writer stated that the addition was on similar lines to the existing buildings, and the cost was estimated to approximate £4Boo.—The chairman explained that, by accepting the offer of the department to build the additional Building, the board would save from £4OO to £SOO, and, in view of this fact, the committee had decided to adopt the suggestions and have the work carried out. It was decided to convey the thanks of the boat'd to the department for its offer. He further stated that an additional sitting-room would later be required at the home. Nurse B. E. Wright, who is stationed at Arnpeti .camp, Mangahao, reported that the month had been a busy one, most of the work being in connection with minor accidents among the men. These, had been fairly numerous. Men who had received treatment at the medical hut numbered 200. Septic wounds were a very common occurrence, the majority of them being among the cement workers and men who were obliged to wear gum boots. Influenza and bronchitis had been prevalent, especially aijiong the men on night work. Visits to homos numbered .80. Several ailments had been prevalent among the married women, though the children were verv healthy.

In connection with the endeavours that, are being made to arrange an agreement with the friendly societies concerning the treatment of their members, whereby the payment of their fees would come from a fund established for that purpose, Mi J. A. Nasi), M.P., reported that over 700 were prepared to contribute to the fund. The friendly societies would undertake ail annual liability of 10s per member, irrespective of whether the Hospital was used. This would have the effect of assuring the board of certain finance, and at the same time benefiting the members of the societies. The speaker estimated that only one in every ten contributing to the fund would go to file hospital.—The chairman said 10s per member would not bo stiffieien. while many little considerations would require attention befoiy the scheme would become workable.—lt was eventually decided to hold the matter over for the lime being, pending further negotiations with tho societies.