HOSPITAL BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 194, 18 July 1939, Page 12

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. Tho monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Hoard was held yesterday. Those present were Messrs J. A. Nash ( chairman), Mrs AL. Aitchison, and Messrs J. Hodgens, M.P., J. 11. Williamson, C. P. Jensen, V. E. Smith, T. Greene, G. A. Monk, J. Boyce, W. Howell, M. E. Perreau and F. J. Ryder. Leave of absence was granted Mr A. E. MansJ’ord on account of his being indisposed. The Director-General of Health forwarded a circular letter relating to hospital benefits under the Social Security Act. —Mr Monk said that until out-patients came within the scheme a certain amount of reorganisation might he necessary. The letter was received.

The Health Department advised that representations had been made that a hospital site would he available at Levin, nn the estate of the late Mr 11. A. McDonald.

The chairman said that if the hoard secured land it might bo thought that it was contemplating activity there, and the managing-secretary remarked that the hoard should, if the opportunity offered, make provision against a future coiitinguency. Tho title to the land could bo vested in the Crown. On tho motion of Mr Hodgens, it was decided that the board seek the opinions of the Health Department on the project. The Feikling Borough Council advised that discussion of a project for tlie possible establishment of a maternity home in Feikling. with particular, relation to the provision of a site, had been deferred until August 10.—Deceived. SECRETARY’S REPORT.

The managing.secretary (Mr A. J. Phillipps) reported as follows:—The work of alterations at the Prince of Wales and Princess Mary Wards has proceeded satisfactorily, the verandah sections being now completed. The estimates, as .submitted, have been approved by the Department of Health, but it lias not yet been possible for me to put in hand tho other urgent works. The work on the call system has been completed and the system is now operating. I am still unable to secure the services of a further electrical wireman, no replies having been received to a recent advertisement; consequently, the work of improving the lighting in Prinrc of Wales and Princess Mary Wards is still held u]i. Awnpuni Home Additions: Following the last meeting of the hoard, Mr Hodgens made representations to various authorities in Wellington and I understand now that this work has passed the Public Works and Health Departments and is awaiting the approval of the I.oans Board, which will no doubt ho forthcoming at the meeting of tho Loans Board to be hold in Wellington on July 21. In this connection, there is already some money offering locally for the purchase of our debentures.” —Adopted. Mr Hodgens was thanked for his assistance in regard to the loan proposals. SUPER INTEXDENT’S REPORT.

The medical superintendent (Mr J. H. North) reported that at May 31 there were 219 patients in the Hospital. In June 258 patients had been admitted and 238 discharged, while 13 had died. At June 30 there were 226 patients in hospital. The daily number of occupied beds had been 222.26 in June. Four cases of diphtheria had been admitted, also one of scarlet fever and one of infantile paralysis. At the close of the month the scarlet fever case had been discharged, the others remaining in Hospital. There had been 16 births in the maternity home during June. The report also stated : “The Hospital has again run to capacity during tho past month, the occupied bed figure for the month being higher than for any previous month. Accommodation of patients has become increasingly difficult during the past few months.”

The healtli of the nursing staff had been satisfactory throughout the month, stated the report of the matron, Miss L. M. Banks. Sister M. C. Brown had tendered her resignation as a member of the staff for personal reasons. Nurse Sybil Anderson had resigned, having completed her training, and Nurse Caugfiloy had also resigned. Tlie social welfare officer reported that in June there were four weekly issues of 97 rations to 14 cases in the whole of the board’s district. The figures for the city were eight cases, to which 66 rations were made available. In each case there was a. substantial reduction in tlie figures compared with the previous year and a steady falling off was to be seen over the last three months.

The chairman reported that the Waipawa Hospital Board and tho Palmerston North Hospital Board had interviewed the Minister of Health with respect to the sanatoria at Otaki and Waipawa. They placed before him the position of the capital expenditure, and after he had heard the requests lie undertook to go into the details and to make suggestions as to procedure. The report was considered in committee.

The board considered, in committee, a report by the chairman on a conference recently held in Wellington with the British Medical Association with regard to the staffing of hospitals under the social security provisions. The hospitals were represented by thenassociation.