HOSPITAL BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 162, 10 June 1926, Page 7

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING.

CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS.

Tho monthly meeting of tho Palmerston North Hospital Board was held this morning, there being present: Sir J limes Wilson (chairman), Messrs Broadbelt, Vincent, Bramwell, Collis, McLean, Follas, Moody, Pycroft, Greeiihow, Monk Catloy, Smart, Hornblow and J. A. Nash, M.P. Apologies for absence were received from Mrs L. A. Abraham and Mr F. J. Ryder. CORRESPONDENCE. _

From the Department of Health, introducing Miss Pope, an expert in diatetics in Canadian and U.S.A. hospitals. It M(as proposed that Miss Pope should inquire into diatetics in New Zealand hospitals and report to the department. Miss Pop© was acting under the auspices of Victoria University College, Wellington, from which and from tho department she had secured a scholarship. Miss Pope, it was mentioned, was a New Zealander. Miss Pope aLo wrote asking permission to visit the Palmerston North Hospital about June 12. —It was stated that arrangements had been made to facilitate Miss Pope’s local investigations.

From tho Department of Health, approving of the board’s 1926-27 estimates.—Received, the board also thanking Mr Nash for his satisfactory arrangement of some matters affecting the board’s £40,000 loan, which, it was stated, would now; be received inYour instalments of £IO,OOO each, subject to the first £IO,OOO being paid over as soon as the security was completed, and tho balance after October 1 as funds permit. No definite commitment could be made to have instalments available on tho several dates suggested, although endeavours would be made to do so. From the Hospital Boards’ Association inquiring tho board’s method of computing a patient’s period of treatment in hospital—whether the days of admission and discharge were counted as Wo days' or one day, and if tho latter, whether tho minhnum charge of £1 Is' for adults and 10s 6d for children should be made. —It was decided to reply that tlio local practice was to make a one-day charge which was considered equitable. From the Feilding District Nursing Guild, asking for information as to iho salaries of district nurses, and whether the board granted increases or whether they remained the same from the time of engagement. —It was decided to reply that salaries were not altered, they being of a very satisfactory' standard. COLLECTING FEES.

Tho Kiwitea County Council wrote concerning the statement of tho board’s levies on local bodies and the receipts and expenditure for 1926-27. Tho council desired to state that it was of tho opinion that the time had arrived when th© board should reconsider the methods of collecting patients’ fees, and it urged upon the board the necessity for more concerted action in this direction with a view to collecting a greater percentage of fees and thus relieving the financial burden on the ratepayers of the contributory bodies, especially the counties. The council turther considered that pressure should be brought to bear on tho Government to increase tho amount of subsidy payable on levies from 14s to 20s in tho £l, and that tho levies should be assessed in equal proportions on the capital value and population basis. The chairman (Sir James IViison) said that the method of collection of patients’ fees had been greatly improved. Mr L. T. McLean (Kiwitea Council) said that he had heard of seme patients who had not received accounts. Ho asked whether more than one account was sent out to those who failed to pay. The board, secretary asked Mr McLean for specific cases. Sir James Wilson: Can you suggest a way of getting more money out of tho patients? “Sue some of them,” said Mr McLean. Tho matter was referred to the executive committee.

Tho chairman stated that there seemed to be no hope of securing a £1 for £1 subsidy. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT.

The medical superintendent (Dr. Frazer) stated in nis report that admissions for May totalled 187, discharges 198 and deaths 9, while the average number of patients was 125.3. There were 44 major and 45 minor operations. Tho number of patients had. kept up remarkably considering tho very mild season and the unusually low incidence of winter jdomplamts. The infectious diseases block had been comparatively empty and the district bad been fortunate in escaping some of the diseases which had been prevalent elsewhere. Tho matron desired a separate telephone, at tho nurses’ home and recommended the appointment of Miss Wilsofi as acting-sister.—Adopted. NURSING AT MANGAHAO.

The district nurse at Matigahao camp reported that, during May, there had been a good deal of influenza and sickness duo to the incessant wet weather which had then been prevalent. A number of minor accidents had occurred, one case being sent to hospital. Many visits had been paid to mothers and children. One child had been sent to hospital for treatment of a poisoned leg. The new medical hut was proving very useful, especially for emergency cases. One ease of erysipelas was tlie only instance-of an infectious disease.—The report was adopted. OLD PEOPLE’S HOME. The matron of the Old Peoples’ Home, Awapuni (Sister H. Petersen) reported that, on May 31, there were 40 inmates—32 males and 8 females. —The report was adopted. CONSTRUCTIONAL WORK. The secretary stated in his report that work on the annexe building was nearing completion, expenditure to date being £660 and the estimate for the whole £IOOO. It was suggested that the board take steps to secure the construction of two access roads to the new buildings, each road to bo 12 feet wide and metalled. —It was agreed to proceed with the construction of the roads.