CARE OF THE SICK

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 94, 21 March 1939, Page 9

CARE OF THE SICK

hospital board. REPORTS ON INSTITUTIONS. Tho monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board was held yesterday, Air J. A. Nash presiding. Also present were Airs M. Aitehison, Alessrs A. (J. Alansford, V. Smith, J. 11. Williamson, Jos. Batchelor, C. P. Jensen, E. J. Ryder, T. Green. D. Cqllis, G. A. Alonk. Al. E. Perreau, W. Howell and J. Boyce. The matron of the Awapuni Home (Miss D. Wright) reported that the number of inmates was 64; there was one admittance during the month and one patient discharged. ’Hie general health of all the inmates was good. Numerous gifts were acknowledged.

The matron (Aiiss L. AT. Banks) reported that throughout the month the health of the nursing staff was satisfactory. The resignation of Sister .Malone and Nurse Brag, on account of their approaching marriages, and of Nurse Burling had been received. Fifteen pupil nurses had taken up duty. Gifts to the Hospital were acknowledged. The bacteriologist-(Afr L. J. Cooper) reported that 979 specimens had boon examined, including 109 from Napier and Hastings Hospitals. 27 from Wanganui, and 543 from Palmerston North and other sources. Tho medical superintendent (Air J. H. North) reported on the number of patients in tho Hospital as follow: Patients remaining on January 31, 202; admitted during February. 256: discharged during February, 236; died during February, 14; remaining in Hospital, February 28, 10,8; daily number of occupied beds, 200.25; infectious diseases, cases ' admitted during February, diphtheria, 2; scarlet fever, 1 ; typhoid fever. 0; remaining in hospital, diphtheria 3; scarlet fever 1; typhoid fever, 0. Afnternit.v home: Admissions during month. 28; births during month. 29; attended antenatal clinic, 79: remaining in home, mothers, 16; babies, 17. Al AN AG ING-S ECR ETAR Y’S RISPORT. The managing secretary (Mr A. J. Phillipps) reported: “Since the last meeting of the board the contractor lias completed work on the children’s ward and our own staff have still painting work and laying of linoleums, etc., to do. The upstairs ward should be ready for occupation about the end of this month. The contractor has made good progress on the laundry contract and should finish this week. The new machinery has arrived and the ironing, drying and finishing machine has been put into use and the other marhines arc being installed this week. On inspection of the laundry, members will he able to see the greatly improved facilities which have been provided for the carrying out of the laundry work. The contractor for Hie alterations to the medical superintendent’s residence has started work and is making satisfactory progress. Building work at Otaki lia-s progressed satisfactorily during the month, the carpenter having completed work on the removed block. One painter is still engaged at Otaki. The work on the ante-natal clinic at Otaki is completed except for the final painting. The painter has storied interior renovation work on the nurses’ home build-

ing.” The medical superintendent of the Otaki Sanatorium (Dr R. S. R. Francis) reported that there were 64 patients in the institution. During the month there had been five admissions and four patients discharged. The social welfare committee reported that during January rations were issued in respect of 32 cases compared with 52 cases during January, 1938. In Palmerston North citv alone there were 17 eases as against 37 cases twelve months ago.