Palmerston North Hospital Board Meets

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7136, 20 April 1933, Page 8

Palmerston North Hospital Board Meets

CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS CONSIDERED

Tho monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board was held yesterday, Mr. J. K. Hornblow presiding. Also present were Mrs. L. A. Abraham and Messrs G. P. Catloy, F. J. Ryder, B. L. C. Aitchison, J. A. Nash, M.P., L. T. McLean, V. E. Smith, O. McElroy, W. Howell, D. Collis, J. Boyce, G. A. Monk, A. E. Mansford and M. A. Moody. The Department of Health advised that tho Minister had approved of the proposed agreement between tho board and tho Mauawatu United Friendly Societies for a period of 12 months. In order to meet tho wishes of both parties that the agreement should be terminable by 12 months’ notice on either side, the Minister had indicated that if approval of renewal of the agreement was to be declined, 12 months’ notice -would be given. Advice was received from the Hospital Boards’ Association that the board’s subscription for the coming year would bo £22. Tho Hospital Boards’ Association advised that the effect of tho increased rato of exchange on boards’ purchases could bo calculated as 15 per cont. on one-tenth of provisions, on practically all surgery and dispensary requisites, and as one-third on domestic and establishment items.

The following statistics were set out in the report of the medical superintendent (Dr. F. G. Ward): —Patients remaining in hospital, 23/2/33, 198; patients admitted during March, 239; patients discharged, 219; patients died, 12; patients remaining in hospital, 31/3/33, 206; daily average number of occupied beds, 199.58; number on waiting list, 31/3/33, 7. Maternity home: Admitted during March, 26; births, 24; attended-ante-natal clinic, 60; remaining in home, 31/3/33, mothers 14, babies 13.

The matron of the Old People’s Home (Miss A. C. Griffin) reported that on March 31 there -were 31 inmates —zo males and six females. The general health had been very good. The Otaki Hospital Committee reported that it had considered the question of re-arrangement of nursing and domestic staff at the Otaki Hospital consequent upon the laundry work of the hospital being carried out at the sanatorium, and certain recommendations resulting from Miss Lambie’s

visit. It had been decided that the hospital

staff should bo reduced to one matron, ono sister at £IOO per annum, one nurse at £6O per annum and one maid at 15s per week, and that tho payment at present made to Dr. Milne for acting ns medical officer to indigent cases cease at the end of ono month and that Dr. Francis, medical superintendent of the sanatorium, be called to assist at such confinements when a medical officor is necessary.

Various matters relating to tne raxing over tho sanatorium ..ad been considered. It had been resolved that the medical superintendent should bo relieved of tho control of tho farm and grounds staff and that the managing secretary should control such staff. It was also resolved that, prior to the preparation of'draft by-laws for the sanatorium, tho committee recommended to tho board that the managing secretary should visit tho Cashmere .Sanatorium, Christchurch, with a view to collecting certain information for the use of the committ»» the managing secretary to be paid actual out of pocket expenses for this visit.

In connection with matters relating to the farm, it was decided that as it was desirable to have certain policy matters decided as soon as possible, a sub-committeo be appointed consisting of Messrs Monk, Ryder and Collis with pow r er to act. The report was adopted.