HOSPITAL BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 143, 21 May 1925, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of tho Palmerston North Hospital Board was held this afternoon, there being* present: Sir James Wilson (chairman), Airs L. A. Abrahitm and Alessrs J. .A. Nash, M.P., J. 11. Vincent, J. VV. Bramwell, D. Collis, M. A. Moody, L. T. Mcßeun, J. T. Follas, F. Pycroft A. A. Broadbelt, W. Greenhow, G. A. Monk, 11. W. Smart and W, Murdoch.

The chairman congratulated old members on their re-election and welcomed a new member in Air Follas. OUT-PATIENTS’ DEPARTMENT.

The Department of Health wrote approving of the board’s by-laws. Surprise was expressed, however, that there were no regular out-patients at Palmerston North, for tho establishment of an outpatients’ department was deemed essential to a hospital of the size and naturo of that at Palmerston North. Out-pati-ents should be afforded the same degree of expert treatment as in-patients and an out-patients’ department greatly relieved tho pressure on the other section of the hospital. It was deemed necessary, too, to make provision for a house manager as an efficient stores system was not enough. The offices of secretary and house maangcr could not be combined. The chairman said that they had not gone in for an out-patients’ department because they lmd no room. They had received no request for such except from the department. The matter of the house manager had been settled by tho board. Mr Nash said that they should reply stating that the out-patients’ department was held up pending tho construction of an administrative block. This it was decided to do, and also to inform the department that the clerical staff had been increased to allow of the secretary performing the duties of a house manager.

Later in the meeting Mr Bramwell moved that the executive consider and report upon the establishment of an out-patients’ department at the hospital. Such a department, lie said, was vitally important, and would relieve the generul pressure on the institution.

Mr Murdoch: It should be kept steadily in view, anyhow. The motion was carried. VISITING PATIENTS.

The Friendly Societies’ Council wrote asking the board to consider allowing the husbands of the women in hospital to visit their wives between 7 and 8 p.m. on certain nights of the week. The only time a working man could do so at present was on Sunday afternoon, else he had to lose time for absence from work. Dr Forrest eaid that the right was already given in cases where a working man could not pay a visit in the day-time on week-days. It was decided to allow the privilege to be extended on two week-nights, to be determined by the medical superintendent. HOSPITAL SATURDAY. Mr Nash said that Airs Trask, whose son was in the hospital, had offered to promote and organise a hospital Saturday. It was decided to reply thanking Airs Trask for her offer and intimating that the board would support her to tho best of its ability.

“Wo will help her all right,” said Mr Nash. *