HOSPITAL BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18280, 24 June 1921, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual meeting of the Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held last night; present —Mr W. E. St Knight (chairman), Dr Newlands, Mesdames Jackson, Maclie, Macdonaid, Messrs W. T. Talboys, R. Templeton, J. W. Dove, R. A. Rodger, A. F. Quelch, and D. Laxnadh. A letter was received from Professor Jack accepting appointment as honorary physicist and hoping that his services would bo of use to a hospital. A. E. S. Hanan wrote renewing a claim for £26 8s for dispensing.—lt was decided to adhere to the board’s previous decision. The Town Clerk, Lawrence, wrote staving that the cost of certain drainage work would bo £l5O. The borough was prepared to carry out the work provided that the board contributed £IOO. —Referred to the Finance Committee. The Hon. G. M. Thomson wrote stating that a proposal to start religious services on Sunday mornings for the Hospital nurses had come before the session of Knox Cnuroh. The session had set up a committee to make the necessary arrangements and desired to have tho approval of the board. The services would be under the immediate care of the Rev. A. W. Kinmont, but would be undenominational in character.—The Medical Superintendent'reported that the matron agreed with him that the Sunday morning ward work could be so arranged as to allow a proportion of the nurses on duty being spared to enable them to attend the services. The question of nurses attending the services when off duty was a personal matter and did not require the permission of the- board.—Approved. The Town Olerk, Palmerston, wrote advising that in the opinion of the council the district would be amply served in Hie meantime if a district nurse were appointed, thereby saving a considerable sum of money that would be required for the purchase of a suitable building, salaries, and general

upkeep of the proposed maternity hospital. The writer forwarded a copy of a letter sent to the District Health Officer in March, embodying the above opinion arid stating that none of the councillors bad heard of 4 any fatality or case of hardship caused by tho absence of such an institution. —The letter was referred to the Finance Committee. The following resolution was carried, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Talboys:—“That this board places on record its best thanks for the services rendered by the _ members of the recent Kaitangata Hospital Committee. Tire assistance of these gentlemen has been giVen with every cheerfulness, and the splendid reports which have been received from time to time of the manner in which this hospital was conducted and the high state of efficiency maintained, reflects on the committee for the care and attention bestowed in carrying out its work. This board sin- : ceroly regrets having now to sever its official connection with these members.” The Chairman also moved the following motion, whicn was seconded by Mr Rodger, and carried unanimously;—“ln view of the services of Mrs Clements, matron of the Kai tan gate Hospital, having automatically passed from the control of this board to the South Otago Board, the Otago Hospital Board desires to record its appreciation of the excellent work carried out by Mrs Clements during the past 12 years while she has been matron of that institution, and regrets losing her sendees, but feels sure that the South Otago Hospital Board will benefit by her long experience.” The reports of the Benevolent, Sanatorium, Hospital, and Finance Committees were adopted without discussion. The Finance Committee’s report recommended the calling of tenders for the erection of an additional ward at Port Chalmers; and the Hospital report the appointment of Dr A. S. MTnnes as junior house surgeon.