PLUNKET SOCIETY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23748, 30 August 1940, Page 4

PLUNKET SOCIETY

AUCKLAND BRANCH KARITANE HOSPITAL WORK SOCIAL SECURITY SUBSIDY' The working of the Karitane Hospital under the Social Security Act was explained by Mr. J. 11. Frater, chairman of the Auckland branch of tho Plunket Society, when moving the adoption of tho report and balancesheet at tho annual meeting yesterday afternoon. "Tho hospital came under tho Social Security Act subsidy as from November 1," said Mr. Frater. "Automatically the annual Government grant was extinguished, and there is now a payment of so much per bed per day or week. Tho new schemo lias so far proved satisfactory and by tho end of

tho next financial year wo will bo in a better position to judgo the outcomo of this new legislation. The State will make a much closer inspection in tho administration of tho hospital, which is natural when public funds aro being expended, but we havo nothing to fear in that respect and would welcome tho inspections." Parents' Responsibility Tho accommodation at headquarters in Symonds Street was strained, continued Mr. Frater, as thero had been a largo increase in district work. The amount of money received from users of the society's services was a little better, but there was still room for improvement in this respect. "I should think tho public of Auckland would be. aghast at tho prospect of the service being curtailed, so again we point out to tho parents tho responsibility that they havo in supporting the society they aro using," Mr. Frater added. In seconding tho adoption of the report and balanco-sheot, Dr. T. H. Pettit pointed out that the Karitane Hospital had the responsibility for the premature babies of practically the whole Auckland district, Tho infant mortality at tho hospital this year had been very much reduced, probably because thero had not been so many of tho very early prematures of under 21b. in weight. There had boon over 100 premature babies and over 100 mothers admitted. Election of Officers The president of the branch, Mrs. J. C. Allan, said the work of tho society had extended in all directions, but there was still much to be done. Much responsibility rested with such an organisation as tho Plunket Society, particularly now, when every life, meant so much. * Referring to the Karitane Hospital, Mrs. Allan said the hospital was at present a 27-bed one, but thero wero usually 30 babies there. The hospital was how in the course of being extended by means of certain alterations, but its utmost limit would be 35 beds. There was an outstanding need for a new hospital. What was really necessary with the population of Auckland was a 50-bod hospital for infants and an extension of the mothercraft cottage to enable 15 mothers to be taken in. Mrs. Allan concluded by paying a tribute to the Karitane staff and the Plunket nurses, without whose wholehearted services the amount of work of the year under review could never have been accomplished. , _ . Tho following officers were elected:—President, Mrs. J. C. Allan (re-elected): vicepresidents, Mrs. R. Coleman, Mrs. J. H. Frater, Mrs. David Nathan and Mrs. T. Clifton Webb; committee, present members and Mrs. Blair Burkett, Mrs. H. Burrell. Mrs. R. H. Clark, Mrs. H. Culpnn, Mrs. W. E. Parry, Mrs.,E. W. Purdam: treasurer, Mr. A. R. Elder: honorary auditor.Mr. N. A. Duthie; honorary solicitor, Mr. H. P. Bicnmond; advisory aboard, Messrs. J. H. Trater, E. E. Nalder, R. A. LaidlftW, P. H. Upton, T. H. Macky, A. M. Gould, D. Nathan, J. F. Ewen, J. B. Johnston, D. Poison. K. B. Myors and H. R. Klrkor.