Hospital Board

Northland Age, Volume XVIII, Issue 39, 18 February 1949, Page 1

Hospital Board

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Mangonui Hospital Board was held in the Board Room yesterday, there being a full attendance of members, with Mr. W. Hoskin presiding. Routine business occupied a considerable amount of the Board’s time, the Secretary, Mr. A. Wilson, bringing forward much illuminating data relating to the institution’s affairs. It was decided by the Board to support the nomination of Mr. E. N. Clark as Local Body Represeentative to the Rehabilitation Committee. No remits were brought forward for the Hospital Board’s Conference, Mr. Steed remarking that it was not much good bringing any forward, as no one took any notice of them in any case. It was revealed that the sum of £4,100 would be the estimated Capital expenditure for the coming year. The Matron, Miss Mac Diarmid, made report that she was still very short of nursing staff. She was afraid that there were four nurses leaving the Maternity Annexe, and she was sadly in need of three or four trainees. She went on to state that a local lady living outside of the town Had offered her services for some part of the day, providing that suitable transport was available and could be arranged by the Board. It was decided that steps should be taken to arrange this transport as soon as possible. Miss Mac Diarmid went on to say that thei-e was the prospect of one sister in General Hospital leaving, and with the holiday period being on in so far as sisters were concerned, this branch of the service was partcularly hard on all at the present time, and would remain in this condition until all the sisters had hid their holidays. She went on to say that she ..'as still in need of three nurse aids in general, and unless older girls offered, she might have to take the most robust of those girls of sixteen who had applied for positions. Matron also asked the Board tq take some action in the matter of cars which have been in the habit of parking outside the hospital after hours of lights out. i She stated that parties of fish and ; chips and beer were being held in cars, and the noise created at tlmse I parties was particularly trying to pa- ' tients in the hospital. I The Board decided to approach the ; Borough Council and the Traffic DeI partment, with a view to having the area created a “no parking” area after certain hours. The Matron asked that thanks be conveyed to Mr. Frost for kindnesses received, to Mrs. Bloomfield for cucumbers and lemons, to the Te Pahi Women’s Institute for comforts, girts to Mrs. Powell for flowers, to Mrs. Timbers for books, to Mrs. Hales the librarian for assistance, and to the very many anonymous donors of flowers, books, fruit and vegetables. BOARD EXPENDITURE At the meeting the question arose when estimated capital expenditure was under discussion, if the plant that the Board purchased was giving satisfaction in the use for which it was bought. Mr. W. Hales felt strongly on the matter and said that he was of the opinion that where the Board purchased anything of a utilitarian nature, they had the right to ask the member of the Board’s staff just what that article was doing, and what satisfaction it was giving. “When the Board authorises expenditure,” he said, “the Board has the right to know whether that article is giving satisfaction. No umbrage should be taken by anyone at such a question being asked, where should question is being asked, where should we ask but from the person in chai'ge of that article, or the person directly using it.” “The monies we spend on thise things,” Mr. Hales went on, “Is public money, and we have been placed here to see that public money is spent to the best advantage. Therefore, any member of this Board is within his rights in asking a question about costly plant, and I for one want to know : Is .the plant we have bought giving satisfaction, and will the olnnt we are being asked further to buy, give satisfaction and save the staff time and labour ?” Mr. Hales was assured by a member of the staff that such would be the case and that such was the case. “All right then,” replied Mr. Hales, “That is all that is required by vay of answer and assurance.”