HOSPITAL BOARD

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9954, 25 April 1918, Page 8

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday afternoon. There were present—Messrs H. Baldwin (chairman). A. J. McCuTdy, F. T. Moore, H. Van Staveren. C. 31. Luke, Br J. K. Elliott, F Castle, B. G. H. Burn, J. Smith, I). Campbell. J. W. Mcßwan, Mesdames McVicar, Aitken, and Neitl. The hospital committee recommended and reported that Messrs Watson and Sons, oi Sydney, had been advised that it was not now considered necessary to send over an expert to instal tho ik.-ray plant; that a gaa stovo and new range De .provided for the medical superintendresidence at a cost of £3s ss; that the City Council ,could not consent to increase the speed limit for the ambulance) that the thanks of the board be tendered to the Row J. Vosper for his gift of 15 cases of apples; that arrangements be made for the laying of a foundation stone at the new fever hospital; that a lodge for the porters be erected at the front sate, and that all other entrances to the hospital be closed, and the fencing around the hospital grounds be made secure.

The recommendation and reports were adopted. Mr C. M. Luke stressing tho fact that it would be necessary to, see that the lodge to bo erected should be constructed in every way worthy of the main building. Mr F. T. Moore mentioned a case of alleged premature discharge of a patient stating that an outsider had been infected. Subsequently Dr Barclay, the medical superintendent, stated that tho urinal tests had shpwed that tho patient was free from infection, and said that the second case in all probability had been infected from an outside source. He did not\see how any further precautions could be taken.

'i'no atawd that the following contributing bodies v,-er& now outside tno VVollingtoft hospital district:—Horowhenua County" Council, capital value, jiS.iftS,42l; i-evin Borough, jia53,363 and Ocaki Town District. a total value of ig3.561.075. This loes, however, would bo "balanced by tho fact that it would eq£ oo neoessary to support the Otaki Sanatorium.

Considerable discussion then arose as to whether adequate inquiries were being matte regarding patieiits who were becoming charaeable to the hoard on beadmitted to Sanatoria, beintf in a position to pay or not. The chairman stated that in the majority of cases tho patient" sent to the sanatorium by tiis Public Health Department and the first intimation of them being chargeable to the board was the account being presented to them. He also stated that it was sratifying to notice in this connection that the amounts collected since the new system of collection was installed were larger by SO per cent, than those of last year. It was then suggested that the local board be debited with the accounts of patient 3 in their districts as it was nrobable that owing to their looal knowledge they would have more chance of obtaining the monev. The matter was deferred for further particulars. \ ■Mr J. W. JlacJSwan. in a lengthy spesoh, entered a nrotest against the largely increased cost of administration as compared with other large hospitals. lhe chairman stated that with the exception of salaries and wages the cost per occupied bed was less in Wellington than m either Auckland. Christchuroh, or Dunedin.

Mr Moßwan went on to criticise the cost of various amountß in the balancesheet, and suggested l that there were possibly many instances whera retrenchment could be introduced. ■• Several speakers supported him. A SOUGHT BKiEEZE.

The Rev. Van Staveren said that Mr AfcEwan had no right .to come and criticise in that fashion at the eleventh hour. Ho (the speaker) had been present every week, but others had not. •Mr Maßwan said that he did not think it fair that he should bo personally attacked in this fashion, as he was only attempting to act in the interests of the board, and if the personal attack was continued he would leave the room.

The Bev. Van Staveren said that ho had not meant anything personal in his remarks, and only wished to emphasise the fact that it was rather late to criticise.

After considerable discussion tho report of tho finance and policy, committee was adopted. Accounts amounting to .£7369 Os lid were passed for payment.