HOSPITAL BOARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 301, 19 November 1940, Page 8

HOSPITAL BOARD.

EFFECT OF NEW AWARD. The monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board was held yesterday, Mr J. A. Nash presiding. There were also present Messrs JHodgens, M.P.. V. E. Smith, Jos. Batchelar, G. A. Monk, W. Howell, T. Green, i). Collis, O. P. Jensen, J. Boyce, J. H. Williamson, M. E. Perreau and A. E. . Mansford. Leave of absence was granted to Mrs M. Aitcliison and Mr F. J. Ryder. The hoard decided to send a letter of appreciation to the Women’s Hospital Auxiliary for the presentation of a chair for use at the Awapuni Home. Tho social welfare report showed that in October 77 rations (122 last year) were given to 13 (20) cases. For the city area 53 (100) rations had been issued to 9 (17) cases. A copy of the new domestic staff award was received.—-The managingsecretary (Mr A. J. Phillipps) said, in reply to a question, that the award would mean additional expense to the board of about £6OO annually. Mr Phillipps was thanked for his work os an assessor for hospital hoards at tho Conciliation Council meeting. The chairman reported on the visit of the Minister of Health (Hon. H. T. Armstrong) to the Awapuni Home and the Hospital, saying the Minister appeared to be very interested and had spoken very highly of the progress the board was making. The Minister had said he would visit the Otaki Sanatorium at a future date. The report of the managing-secretary stated, inter alia: —Building work at Hospital: The alterations at the main kitchen have progressed satisfactorily during the month. Painting work has been carried out on the Nurses’ Homo building and interior renovations in the District Maternity Home, huilding have been commenced. A commencement has been made on the alterations to tho paths and roadways in front of the administration block. The report of the matron (Miss L. M. Banks) acknowledged the following gifts: Weekly papers and magazines. Hospital Auxiliary, Mr C. 11. White and Central Fire Station. , T „ Tho medical superintendent (Mr J. 11. North) reported that all departments had again experienced a busy, month. All tne military and Air Force patients .had so far been accommodated at the main Hospital. The patients in the Hospital at the end of September totalled 228. In October 445 were admitted, 401 were discharged, 14 died, and 258 remained at the end of the month. The average number of occupied beds was 248.16. One case of scarlet fover was admitted during .the month and one of poliomyelitis, and these cases remained at the end of the month. Twenty-seven patients were admitted to the Maternity Home and there wore 24 births. The daily nunibor of occupied beds was 10.9. The medical superintendent also submitted a report on X-ray equipment for the Otaki Sanatorium and the X-ra3 r department at tho Palmerston North Hospital. He outlined the discussions which had taken place with Officers of the Health Department. —The board received the report and detailed specifications are to be made out for the calling of tenders. The medical superintendent said that a very general estimate of the cost, transferring plant at Palmerston North to the Otaki Sanatorium and buying other plant for Palmerston North, together with other details, was £25,000.