HOSPITAL BOARD MEETING

Northland Age, Volume 6, Issue 30, 16 April 1937, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD MEETING

A meeting of the Mangonui Hospital Board was held at Kaitaia yesterday, Thursday, when there were present Messrs. T. S. Houston (chairman), C. B. Miehie, J. W. Steed, L. J. Matthews, W. Vickers, D. Kitchen J. W. Hoskin and J. T. Clark. County Amalgamation.—Messrs. T. S. Houston and W. Vickers were appointed to represent the Board at a conference of Northern local bodies to be held in Whangarei to consider the question of amalgamation of local bodies. Reports of Fees V\ ritten Off.—Mr. W. Steed brought up the question of the publication of the amount of patients’ fees that are from time to time written off by the Board as this may create an idea among others that they need not pay. Another aspect, said Mr. Miehie, was that the publication may awake a public feeling to a sense of the position. Mr. Hoskin considered that it was alright to publish the amount but not the individuals. Reciprocal Agreements with Other Boards.—lt was decided to enter into agreements with other Boards so desiring in regal’d to the treatment of patients who have just left the respective hospital districts. This agreement to be nullified if and when the section of the Act covering this matter is repealed. Treatment of Natives. The Government grant of £IOO for the free treatment of natives is to be allocated : £7O to Dr. J. Rule and £3O to Dr. Torrie. The number treated last year was 163 by Dr. Rule and 53 by Dr. Torrie. Hospital Returns.—There were 98 patients treated in the County hospital last month. 64 patients were admitted and 56 were lischarged. The average number of occupied beds was 35.3, the highest for this year. At the end of the month there were 42 patients in the hospital and the highest number in any one day was 47, the highest on record. Increase in Salaries.—An all round increase in the salaries of practically all the Board’s hospital, outside and office staff was made. These increases ranged from £lO to £IOO. Financial. The statement of accounts presented by the treasurer, Mr. W. H. Atkins, showed that the Board closed the year with a substantial credit balance when all the subsidies are received. Report on Conference.—The chairman, Mr. T. S. Houston, gave a report on the annual conference of Hospital Boards which he attended as the Board’s delegate, and at the conclusion he was accorded a vote of thanks for his comprehensive report to the Board members. Progress of Hospital.—The following returns on the work at the County hospital show the great increase during the past years :

General A report is to be presented at next meeting on the advisability of using coal at the hospital ; this action is being taken on account of the difficulty and expense of obtaining firewood. Leave of absence for two months was granted Mr. C. B. Miehie. The medical superintendent, Dx\ Rule, was also granted leave from the middle of next month.

1936 1935 1934 Patients treated 639 600 519 Operations 258 217 203 Av. No. Occupied Beds 30.16 28.9 21.8 Ante-natal patients 103 82 Visits from these 235 245 Births 105 102 99 Deaths 30 31 24 X-rays 117 116 75 Outpatients 55 83