HOSPITAL BOARD.

Northern Advocate, 8 May 1916, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD.

TODAY'S MEETING

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Whangarei Hospital and Charitable >M Board was held to-day. at the hospital. Present: .Messrs N. McKenzie (chairman), J. M. McKay, T. Ellis, W. A. Kerr, A. G. McKenKie, F. T. Steele, H. A. Morey, J.. R. Mclnues. CORRESPONDENCE. The Minister of Public Health wrote suggesting that the Board might be disposed to mak e a concession, in regard to the treatment of minor ailments in men who wished to go to the front. "Many hospitals," the letter stated, "with a view to assisting recruiting, have been good enough to grant free treatment to such possible recruits." The letter was received, the Board being in the happy position of having made concession of free treatment'some time ago, long before the Department had written. DEPARTMENTAL LECTURES. /Concerning the prevention of tuberculosis, the Department of Health wtote reminding the Board of the recommendations of the Tuberculosis Congress of 1912, and suggesting close co-operation between the district health officer, the medical superintendent of the sanatorium and the bacteriologist of the central hospital of the district in the hope that by such co-operation life may b e infused into a campaign which has a tendency to wane unless stimulated periodically." The latter part of the letter offered to make arrangements with an officer of th e ! Department to deliver a special ■ series of lectures to nurses on the prevention and treatment of consumption. On the motion of Mr J. R. McInnes, seconded by Mr W. A. Kerr, th e offer of the Department to arrange lectures to nurses was accepted. DENTAL SERVICES.Colonel Valintine, Director of Military 'Hospitals, wrote inquiring what arrangements could be made for a temporary military dental hospital in connection with the Whangarei Hospital, in the event of it being found necessary." It was resolved to inform the department that the Board would do all in its power to assist: and further that th ei medical superintendent consult with the military dental officers now doing the work in Whangarei, as to what arrangements could be made, if any, better than those existing at present. COTTAGE HOME. The manager reported for the month of April that one man had been admitted, one transferred to the hospital, and one, John Jacobson, had died. MATRON'S REPORT. The matron's report stated that Nurse H, Jewiss had returned to duty after a brief illness. She recommended the appointment of Probationer Dora Roberts to the Staff, and desired the Board to expedite the equipment of the kitchen, laun. dry, and domestic staff rooms, in the new buildings. Mr Morey moved and Mr McKay seconded, that the report be adopted, and the finance committee recommended to proceed with the master of equipment of the new rooms as soon- as possible DR. FRAZER-HURST. The chairman reported that a letter had been received from Dr. Frazer-Hurst desiring an extension of his leave, for another six months. The secretary reported that no time had been fixed with Dr. FrazerHurst, it being generally understood that his leave was for the period of tbo war; and in consultation with the chairman he had cabled that the period of leave was indefinite. FINANCE. The monthly accounts were passed for-payment, and the Secretary reported that the charges for medical assistance were being responded to in a more encouraging manner.

VIBRATOR. Discussion arose- respecting a bill for a patent vibrator fixed, by way of trial, to the hospital ambulance. Mr A. G. McKenzie moved that the vibrator be removed from the car, and returned. He had made inquiries and could not discover that it was any advantage. Mr Ellis said it would do no Harm to try the car without, and see what difference it made. Mr Kerr thought it had been attached to the car without the Board ordering it, and they were not able to learn what difference it made, so it might as well be removed. Mr McKay did not see how he could vote, and was in favour of the matter being deferred.' He did not wish any' injury to be done to the company who had supplied it. He did, not understand the matter himself and they had no expert to give them advice. Messrs Mclnnes .and Morey thought the bill should be paid.

The motion was carried. WATER SUPPLY

A charge of £ 7 odd for water, from the Borough Council, aroused discussion as to whether the Hospital Board, as a public institution of great benefit to the Borough, might not seek exemption from the usual charges for water supply. Mr Mclnnes moved that an application be made to the Borough Council to consider the matter of granting this concession to the Hospital Board, The Chairman ,said an application of this kind had been made before, and he did not tliink it would be any use.

The motion was defeated. COTTAGE HOME.

The manager of the Cottage Home (Mr J. Harker) cam e before the Board in regard to a resolution passed at the last meeting.

'Mr Ellis explained that the resolution was not intended to have the least reflection upon his conduct of the Home, as the Board realised that he had as much as ever he could do. But the Board thought something could be done in the way of securing extra attention to those who were in a dying condition, if an extra nurse could b e secured, or someone to give special attention. The medical superintendent' said h e had always found the conduct of the Home quite satisfactory. The manager had as much a.s he could do, but if it were posisble to obtain extra help it would be an advantage. It was decided on the motion of Mr Kerr, in regard to an application for doors on the linen press in the Cottage Home, to refer the matter to the finance committee to put up doors, or remove the telephone from that room, so that it could be closed, as they saw fit.