NELSON HOSPITAL BOARD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 10 June 1926, Page 3

NELSON HOSPITAL BOARD

.MONTHLY MEETING The monthly mealing of the Nelson Hospital Board was held in the Board room yesterday afternoon. There were present: —(Messrs G. ,M. Rout (chairman), T. Howetson, J. G. Page, H. G. Berryman, H. Tun nidi ft', E. Barton, B. F. Spiers, and Mesdanics Moffalt and Watson. Payments from General Arc-mini totsiHying £215/ were authorised.

In 'answer to Cr. Berryman llie secretary stated that the Government subsidy this year of 22/4 in the £ would be obtained "on the actual amount contributed by the ratepayers.

The Board went into committee to hear a statement by the Chairman concerning the criticism which had appeared in the press regarding certain matters connected with the new hospiall. On the motion of Mr Spiers it was resolved that the letter be handed to the press for publication.

REPORTS The resident surgeon (Dr. D. Low) reported that during the month 82 patients were admitted, 73 were discharged, leaving 57 remaining. Dr. Low added that t'tie transferring of patients and equipment to the new hospital took place without a hitch, and in a short time everybody was comfortably settled down. A requisition was made for a gas and oxygen anaesthetic; apparatus, which: was part of the equipment of all modern hospitals. A small ideal heater was also . applied , for for hospital house. It was also'recommended that the maternity fees be £3/3/- a week. The chairman said the staff was to be congratulated on the way the changeover bad been made.

Arising out of the report it was agreed to purchase the anaesthetic apparatus.

'The report was adopted. The Matron (Miss Darkin) of the Motueka Cottage Hospital reported that during (be month 9 maternity patients were admitted, and 10 discharged, leaving two remaining. The master of the Alexandra Home reported that there were vacancies for several more inmates of both sexes.

The relieving officer (Mr H. Kidson) reported that during the month, 13 families had received assistance, 1 the sum of £29/15/- being granted in rations and fuel.

Arising out of the report, Air Berryman moved that the attention of the Government should be called to the fact that old people arriving in the Dominion without means were becoming a charge on the Hospital Board. The motion was carried.

Other matters arising out of the report were dealt with, in one instance it being decided to obtain a police report regarding a married man in the country districts.

The architect forwarded progress payment for £2686 on account of the contract for the new hospital.—Payment was authorised.

TENDERS

The Town Committee recommended that the following tender be received: Fish, W. Reed. For Alexandra Home: Meat, W. -Coleman; bread, H. Croucher; funerals, G. Fleming and Sons. In each case the tender accepted was the lowest. No tender for fuel was accepted for the Hospital or the Alexandra Home; while the acceptance of a milk tender for the Home was left to the secretary.

The recommendations were approved

CORRESPONDENCE Following correspondence was dealt with : From the Collingwood Medical Committee, recommending the Board to accept Dr. Bydder as successor to Dr. Cnselberg. The Health Department wrote approving of the estimates. Several circular letters from the Health Department were received. The Druids Lodge, Tapawera, asked for certain information as to procuring a. •medical man for the Tapawera district. Mr Berryman, who was present at tile meeting, sent a covering letter. Speaking on the matter Mr Berryman thought that the Board might well grant a subsidy towards the salary of a medical officer.

The chairman said it was a big question. Other districts might make similar applications. He doubted also whether a sufficient salary would he available to keep a doctor there. Mr Barton thought that before deciding the secretary should find out vvliat other boards were doing in the matter. He alleged that the Board was being exploited in the way of subsidies. It seemed to him there was too much bolstering up in this district in regard to medical subsidies. He would be prepared to make a statement about llie matter in close board. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr Spiers, to advise the Lodge that the Board would he willing to sndsidise any amount handed over to the Board £ for £; and that a properly drawn nj) agreement be supplied. The Oddfellows’ Lodge, Tasman, wrote regarding fees paid to the Board by members of the Lodge, and forwarding a draft agreement.—Deferred for consideration. The Pikomanu Medical Association forwarded a donation of £lO, with the request that a bed be furnished with the amount. —Received with thanks and request to he complied with. Airs B. Mason, Takaka, wrote stating that no patient had ever been refused admission to tier hospital.—Tt was stated that the Board had no complaint. to make. GENERAL On the recommendation of the town committee it was decided to improve the domestic staff's quarters. On the motion of Mr Howetson it was resolved that the secretary supply a list to the next meeting showing what additional staff was required it tin' hospital. -Mr S. Leach was granted the same permission to visit the hospital as accorded to ministers of religion. Mr Berryman was thanked for a donation of £1 towards clocks for the hospital. After dealing with several other matters the Board rose at (s.lff pm.