BENEVOLENT TRUSTEES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13998, 3 September 1907, Page 6

BENEVOLENT TRUSTEES.

HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION.

NURSING STAFF INADEQUATE.

A' special meeting cf • the Benevolent Trustees was held last night to consider a letter written by tho chairman in referenco to accommodation for the sick in tho institution, and brought beforo the trustees on August 21.

Present: Messrs W. Talboys (chairman), A. Tapper, J, M. Gallaway, J.Arkle, 1). Larnach, and Captain Easthor. Dr Ulote and Nurse Smith were in attendance.

The latter asked the-trustees what was meant hy the statement that her action in tho matter had been considered "rather assertive." As far as she was aware, she had taken no' action at all. The Chairman explained that sometimes remarks were made at that. table which wore not intended for publication fi

Tho Chairman's letter, which tho meeting was to consider, was to the effect that lie had visited the institution and conferred with Mrs Mee and Nurse Smith, when tho dattier had given him to imderstand that she could not undertake to look after tho malo and female wards, as it would require four nurses to carry out these duties in a satisfactory manner. Nureo Smith had also wished for certain alterations other than thoso already for, and under the circumstances Mr Talboys had asked the architect to delay calling for tenders until fiuoh time as tho matter could bo more fully considered. 'At the suggestion of Mr Tapper Dr Yalintine's report re proposed alterations, dated June 20, 1907, was read. Tho Chairman said ho did. not see how the' institution' could possibly afford any, moro for hospital accommodation. Mr Gallaway asked whether tho resolution adopting Dr Valintinc's report had been properly minuted, The Chairman: I don't like the way you put'that question. If tho resolution. had not been properly minuted by me it could not- be placed! before the meeting. Mr ' Gallaway: I moved tho resolution myself. Mr Arklo: Yes, and it was left in the hands of* the chairman to cany out. • The motion; was found in the minute book. -Mr Gallaway recognised it as his, own, with the exception of a sentenco that was immaterial. The Chairman said he never understood that all four weirds should bo given up to hospital accommodation. Mr Tapper said ho had seconded the motion, 'but had done so under the impression that only that part of tho report as endorsed-by the trustees should be adopted. Mr . Gallaway never understood this. They'had .solemnly adopted Dr Valintine's report, and now awoke to tho fact that they had not done so. He now undorstood that Dr Yalintine's report had ten adopted as'far is it met with the views of the trustees. He was not in favour of spending a penny unless it was recommended by Dr Valintine. Mr Arkle said that with-all duo respect to Dr Valintine, he beliovcd that tho chairman was overy bit as able to arrange the.matter as the doctor as far as moro mechanical matters wont, at any rate. Mr, Gallaway thought the resolution had better Be rescinded, as it seemed' that tho trustees had carried it. without knowing what thoy wore doing. Mr Arklo said that Dr Yalintine's ideas were being carried out-. Mr GaJlaway thought not, but they were being thwarted. Dr Closs said he visited the institution with Dr Yalihtine and the trustees, and gathered that one whole tjlook was to bo given Hp to hospital accommodation. If the present scheme, as modified by tho trustees, -was carried out there would be one ward, for males and another for females upstairs, Downstairs. there would bo a ward for inourables, and another to be used as' a dormitory. If an extra room -was wanted these arrangements would have to be disorganised. Pereon<alMie preferred Dr Yalintino's scheme. " Mr Gallaway: Just what I -thought. Air . Larnaeii said., he believed it was wrong to. bring up Dr Yalintine's 6chomo again after the trustees had adjudicated thereon.

Sir Arklo asked what had been wronf! witlr the old scheme'. Patients got Rood beds and attendance and three meals a, day. Mr and Mrs Meo tiad worked well. Why not leave well alone? Dr Oloss: This has been brought about by Government inspection. Mr Gallaway: The community ought to bo' glad there are Government, inspectors. We have- no' right to deprecate them. 'Die Chairman said the. trustees were not going to have the. institution turned into a hospital for.incurables. Mr Galla-wav argued that if incurables wero admitted they should be treated accordingly. ■ The Chairman thought the trustees should take a 6tand now, and decline to admit incurables under 60 years of age. Mr Gallalway:. Then a young incurable is different from an old ono?

Tho Trustees: Certainly. The Chairman wondered that Dr Valintine did not foresoe that two nurses could not'attend to four but Dr Closs explained that 6uch a suggestion was (probably made on tho Grounds of economy and to get tho affair started. He thought that tho work upstairs might- possibly be dono by three nurses, and tho work downstairs could. bo got through by inmates. Nursing; in the institution. was vastly different -from that, in hospitals. In the institution somo patients weighed from 16 to 18 stone, and it was more than' ono nurso could manage to turn somo of them over in bed. It. was also unfair to keep a nurse working for 14 hours, a day. ' Mr liallaway: Arc the nurses. expcctcd to scrub tho floors?— No. . Well I'm glad to hear that at anvrato. Iho.Chairman did not think tho nursing arrangements could have been very bad, or Dr Closs. would have reported to that ctlect.

Dr Close: It was never up to standard. . ■ . .

Ml' Callaway: Tho first timo I entered ono of the wards I was. shocked. Mr Arkle: That is a direct reflection on tlio management. Mr Callaway: Not at all. Mr and Mrs Alco have dono wonderfully well.- Tlicy havo been making bricks without straw. When asked for an opinion. Dr Closs said , nursing by inmates should bo dono away with. Nursing in all the wards should ho dono by femalo imrees, four of whom were required. On tho motion of Mr Callaway, seconded by Mr Tapper, it was decided to pinco this on record.

Nurso Smith, when asked for her views, said she would first like to . know what'' position she hold in the 1 institution This being explained, Nurse Smith said she was prepared to ,tako over the dutica with assistance. Dr Closs pointed out that she would have about 46 patients to look after. It was decided to Icavo tho matter in the hands of Dr . Closs and the chairman, who would aiso define the relation betnccn.tho matron and the hejd nuise,* and report to the board on Wednesday tweok. It was also decided that Dr Closs's suggestion io have one ward for males and one for females upstairs, and ono ward for males downstairs.bo adopted.