NELSON HOSPITAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 14 January 1937, Page 8

NELSON HOSPITAL

BOARD’S MONTHLY MEETING

STATISTICAL REPORT

CLOSING OF TAKAKA PRIVATE HOSPITAL

The monthly meeting of the Nelson Hospital Board held in the board room at the hospital yesterday afternoon was attended by Major R. Dagger (chairman), Mesdames Watson and Moffatt. Messrs A. A. Kenyon, PI. Tunnicliff, J. Fitz-Gcrald, F. Page. F. W. Gibbs and N. McConochie.

Dr E. C. Bydder. of Takaka, advised the board of the closing of the private hospital at Takaka. The statistical report for the month was as follows: —

In-patients.—Remaining from previous month, men 26, women 43, children 12, total 81; admission during month, 31, 40, 20, 91; total patients treated, 57, 83, 32, 172. Discharged during month, 29, 49, 25, 103; died during month, 4,3, 1,8; remaining at end of month, 24, 31, 6, 61. Nature of cases treated during month: Medica.l, men 33, women 22, children 14, total 69; surgical, 15, 26, 18, 59; maternity, 22; tuberculosis, men 3, women 5,8; other infectious diseases nil; chronic men 6, women 8; totals men 57, women 83, children 32, total 172.

Operations numbered 67. Out-patients.—Number of cases general 72, maternity 42, total 121; number of attendances, 89. 49, 138. Massage Department.—Number of cases, in-patients 8, out-patients 22, total 30; number of attendances, 62, 160, 222.

X-Ray Department.—Number of attendances, inpatients 41, outpatients 22, total 63. Bacteriological Department.—Number of examinations, in-patients 373, out-patients, 22, pract. patients 38, total 433.

Number of patients in hospital over two months, 24.

The Master of the Alexandra Home (Mr A. Hunter) submitted a full report on the conduct of the home during December. There are 29 inmates at present. Mrs Hunter, Matron of the Home, submitted a report on the Christmas Festivities.

The chairman commented that it was pleasing to the board to hear such a report on the Christmas festivities and on his motion it was decided to write to Mr and Mrs Hunter expressing appreciation of their services and reciprocating their good wishes for 1937.

The Relieving Officifr (Mr H. Kidson) submitted the report on his work during the past month. BUSINESS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING In regard to the proposed erection of a nurses’ dining room attached to the main building, it was stated that the work could not be commenced until the next financial year when the cost could be provided for in the estimates.

The tenders for the new boiler house were referred to the Town Committee. The secretary of the Maruia branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union wrote requesting the provision of a first aid outfit and a stretcher for the district. It was decided that no action be taken. MEDICAL SERVICE AT TAKAKA INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINT THE BOARD’S POSITION A complaint in regard to the remarks of Dr Bydder on the admission of a patient to Nurse Bethune’s maternity hospital, was forwarded to the board by Mr F. Page. It was alleged that the doctor had stated to the husband of the woman: “If you take her there, you take her at your own risk.” The board was asked to ascertain what was the risk referred to by the doctor. Mr Page stated that he had forwarded the complaint to the Department of Health, which had replied that its inspections were satisfactory and that it did not consider there was any special risk. The Department advised that Dr Bydder should be asked in regard to any special risks as the Department knew of none. Referring to the medical service in Takaka the chairman (Major R. Dagger) said that as far as the board knew there was a qualified medical practitioner in Takaka and so long as that was the case there was no need for the board to act. He knew that at the moment there were violent differences of opinion regarding the practitioner but the board could have nothing to do with that. It appeared that in the circumstances it was a question if the board should not withdraw the subsidy from the nursing home. Mr Page said it appeared the doctoi considered there was a risk to patients going into a hospital subsidised by the board and if there was a risk the board and the people of the district should know about it. It was decided to write to Dr Bydder asking for an explanation of what he considered the risk which was being taken by patients in entering the nursing home. TAKAKA COTTAGE HOSPITAL Mr Page reported that a public meeting held in Takaka on the previous evening to consider the proposal to establish a public Cottage Hospital voted in favour of the proposal upon which he would submit a report to the board at the next meeting.