SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18294, 11 July 1921, Page 7

SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD

The Smith Otago Hospital Board met in the Clutha Comity Chambers on Friday, there being nresont Messrs A. North (chairman), A. Rennie, ,). Rutherford, H. Simson, H. At. Driver, ,7. Chirk, W. A. Blair, J. Mosley, and A. K. Malcolm, M.P., and the secretary (Mr \V. Rov). CONDOLE NCR.

Before proceeding to business the Chairman moved a veto of sympathy with Captain Rutherford in the loss cf his wife, the ruction being carried by members standing in silence. The Chairman said that since last meeting they had appeared] before the commission in regard to the apportionment of assets and liabilities connected with tno original Otago Board. Thev had practically left the statement of (heir ease to Mr Malcolm, whom he wished to compliment on the very able manner in which he had conducted the argument for South Otago. Mr J. Mosley also spoke, referring to tiro vast amount of work Mr Malcolm had put into it. Be had proved himself a thoroughly capable and loyal man to the interests of South Otago. Ho considered that it was unfortunate that so much sido talk had taken place during the hearing on the part of tire Otago representatives. On the median of Mr Simson, seconded by Mr Rennie, it was decided to record a motion in the minutes appreciative of the very able manner in which Mr Malcolm had conducted the, case for South Otago.

Mr Alalcolm briefly returned thanks. The Chairman said that at a meeting of tho Finance Committee held earlier Air J. Alosloy had been appointed chairman of that commit Ice. FINANCE. The Finance Committee submitted a statement of receipts and expenditure for tho month as follows: Receipts.—Public Health. Department (advance of subsidy), £IOOO. Expenditure.—Salaries, £29 6s; office expenses, £1 9s Gd; advertising and printing, £4 11s 2d; drugs, etc., £5 5s 2d; miscellaneous, 7s 45d; patients Dunedin Hospital, £202 IDs Gel; outdoor relief, £42; stores, etc., £2l" —total, £236 18s lOcl. Tho statement was approved and the accounts passed for payment. Tho Secretary reported that 18 patients had been admitted to Dunedin Hospital for the period June 10 to July 4; five to Kaitangata Hospital, c-no to Tapanui Hospital, and one to Auckland Hospital. D. T. Fleming, agent Standard Fire Insurance Company, wrote slating that the insurance on Kaitangata Hospital was being continued ns requested.—Received. Dr Valintiue, Director-general of Health, wrote replying that the department recommended the proposed alterations to tho Kaitangata Hospital for the following rear- ns: (3> That it was given to understand that the main ward was rarely fully occupied, consequently better use could be made of tho available.space if the ward were so divided up as to bo usable by both sexes rather than by one sex as at present; (2) that it was of opinion that the needs of Kaitangata in maternity facilities was not sufficiently adequate. In this it was supported by tho opinion of the resident doctor. Consequently and because of the policy that cottage hospitals should wherever possible provide for maternity cases, it.recommended a maternity block to provide for four to six cases.—lt was resolved that a medical officer of the department bo invited to visit the district and inspect the approved sites in Balchitha and Aliltnn, and also visit tho Kaitangata Hospital. Korapthorne, Prosser, and Co., Dunedin, wrote with reference to the supply of drugs to tho board and tho discount that they were willing to allow.—Received. On the motion of Air Alalcolm, seconded by Air Ronnie, it was decided lo write to the Health Department making inquiries as to the. source of supply and cost of drugs. The Chairman, said that the approval of tho Clutha County Council had been secured for the installation of a telephone in Mrs Al’Donald’s office, and he moved that, in order lo avoid confusion of accounts, the board install a telephone for Mrs M'Donald as tho Balchitha secretary of the board. — Seconded by Mr Rennie and carried. James Wood, Bishops, wrote with reference to a charge of 12s per day for three days in April which was made by the Otago Board for maintenance of his child. For other days ho was charged ss. He desired to know what was the maintenance charge made by the South Otago Board. —To lie informed that the board’s charges were the same as the current rates of the Otago Board. Secretary, Department of Health, wrote re the agreement with tho Otago Board regarding treatment of patients and concerning tho desire of tho S.O. Board that clause 6 bo altered to read: “Until such time as uie S.O. Hospital Board has its building erected,” that tho department was unable to make the alteration without tho sanction of the Otago Board, and tho secretary of the Otago Board had emphasised that the agreement was only tentative, pending apportionment of assets and liabilities. Ho regretted that the department 1 could do nothing at present in the matter. —Received.

Tho Chairman stated that it was understood at the time that in the event of tho Otago Board not continuing the agreement, tho South Otago Board would make its own arrangements.

E. Killick, secretary, Department of Health, Wellington, wrote stating that tho Minister had approved of tho board's estimates. Ho had also approved of the board establishing a building fund of £360!). An advance ct £IOOO was also recommended.—Received. Dr Wylie, Director of Hospitals, wrote forwarding price list of hospital furniture at present at tho Defence Medical- Stores, Wellington, which was new for disposal.—Received. . ■ Dr W. B. Reekie (Kaitangata) wrote stating that he had occasion to send into Dunedin Hospital in a hurry an acute case of double pneumonia, as, under existing arrangements and the necessity for having extra nursing assistance, the patient could not lie satisfactorily nursed at Kaitangata. As similar cases would certainly recur in the future, he desired the beard's opinion for later guidance.—lt was decided to approve of Dr Reekie's action, and thank him for his interest. Dr Valintine wrote with reference to the deletion of the words " charitable aid ” from tbe title of hospital boards and tho suggestion that the term ' Social Welfare Committee” bo substituted, and the expression ‘‘granting of relief or financial assistance” be substituted fer ’ the granting of charitable aid. The words “pecuniary relief” might be used to differentiate between medical end other relief. The term ‘‘ Social Welfare Committee” had already been adopted by some boards Tho Chairman: Are wo going to call a spado an agricultural implement or simply a spado? Mr Ronnie moved that they advance with the times, and us poverty was no crime they adopt the new term. —Mr Blair seconded. Mr J. Mosley moved an amendment for retaining the name charitable aid.—Mr Gumming seconded. On tho amendment being put it was declared carried, Mr ,T. Clark reported on the interview with tho committee of the St. John Ambulance Association. Very good work was done by these people, whose influence in a community had proved very valuable. Mr J. Mosley supplemented Mr Clark’s remark:-,, and considered that it would be a very good thing to have branches of Die St. John Ambulance Asicciation started in South Otago. He moved-—“ That Dio secretary communicate with tho Dunedin Association in regard to Die formation of branches in Balclulha, Kaitangata, Milton, Owakn, and other places in Somli Otago, and Dint Dio board intimate its willingness to render any assistance.”—Seconded by Mr Rennie and carried. Mr R. D. Vcifch, district telegraph engineer, wrote with regard to an application for continuous communication from the Kaitangata Hospital to B-alchitha Dial Dio Kaitangata doctor, who was also Dio hospital doctor, was connected with Dio BalcluDia. doctors at night, and, in addition, had a private wire to Kaitangata Hospital. As the existing service provided for all contingencies, lie regretted Dial tho further service could not be granted. Received. Tho appointment of a district nurse- at Tuhakopa, for which two applications were received, was left in the hands of the chairman and secretary with power to act. Nurse I’ascvo, lately matron of Timaru Hospital, was unpointed district nurse, to be stationed at Clinton. It \vas resolved flint tho Hospital Committee draw up regulations for the employment of district nurses. A large number cf offers of sites were received, and Die matter was .dealt witli in comm it tee. On tho motion of Messrs Gumming and Driver, a Hospital Committee was appointed, consisting of Die chairman of the beard and Messrs Simson, Rennie, and Rutherford. Mr R. R. origor was appointed solicitor to the board. Nurse Clements, matron of the Kaitangata Hospital, reported for the mouth cf Juno that seven patients had been admitted to Dio hospital, three of Diem being diphtheria eases. There had also bc:n seven outdoor patients treated.—Tho report was received.