MANIOTOTO HOSPITAL BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20781, 29 July 1929, Page 15

MANIOTOTO HOSPITAL BOARD

-Ihe monthly meeting of the Maniototo Hospital Board was held on Monday last, and_ was attended by Messrs H. W. Davis (in the chair), N, Nicholson, E, Morgan, W. Strong, T. Dowling, P. Aitken, and T. A. Lewis. DOCTOR’S RESIDENCE. Mr Smith said he had got the tender tor the doctor’s residence reduced to £2501, and on going further into the financial position it was found that the board would still have to_ raise a sum of £1325. After some_ discussion Mr Aitken moved, and Mr Nicholson seconded—“ That the acceptance of tender for the doctor’s residence he deferred in the meantime.— Carried.

Mr Dowling suggested appointing a committee to consider ways and means of raising the extra money required, and on the motion of Messrs Lewis and Morgan, the chairman, Messrs Aitken, Nicolson, and Dowling were appointed the committee.—Mr Smith said the contractors were ready to start with the work at any time after August 1, and expected to get the job through in nine months. — The board decided' - to have the foundation stone laid about _ the end of September, and on the motion of Messrs Morgan and Dowling it was agreed to ask the Minister of Health to perform the ceremony.—lt was resolved to have the names of the members of the hoard placed on the stone and also the names of Messrs Bleach, T. Hall, and T. C, Here (exmembers) . ELECTRIC POWER. Mr Dowling said the Otago Power Board's representative had waited on the Farmers’ Union at Ranfurly and had explained matters. The Sowhurn scheme was scrapped. It would have to be scrapped in seven years in case the new scheme would cost more, but would last for all time. If the scheme were started it would supply Ranfurly in 12 months. The line would come in from Palmerston, the main line going to Ranfurly. In aho.ut six weeks’ time the ratepayers would have an opportunity to . decide whether they would have the electric power in the district. MOTIONS OF CONDOLENCE. Before commencing the ordinary business, the chairman made feeling reference to the death of the late Mr P. Bleach, and the work he had done when a member of the hoard, and moved a vote of sympathy with Mrs Bleach and family, which was carried by tire members standing. A vote of sympathy with Mr Ramsay in his illness was also carried, members expressing the hope that he would be speedily restored to health‘and soon take his place among them again. NURSES’ QUARTERS.

As requested at the last meeting, the doctor furnished a report on the frequent resignations among the nursing staff. It was as follows:—" (1) The hospital is no longer a training school, and nurses have no longer the incentive of gaming their certificates to keep them here for a year. (2) The place is very quiet, and there is practically no social life when they are off duty. (3) The accommodation is very -poor for the nurses—all four being huddled together in one bedroom, and their dining-sitting room is in the middle of the building, so that when they are off duty they cannot get away from hospital noises. If there are any seriously ill patients in the wards they have to be kept unreasonably quiet. In bad weather clothes are frequently dried in this room, making it cold and- damp. The lighting is so poor that it has to be helped out with lamps and even candles. (4) The only bathroom and lavatory conveniences are those used by both patients and nurses, and the nurses feel that they shoukl have such conveniences for their exclusive use. (5) The nursing facilities m the building are poor and nurses will not stay in an old inconvenient building when they can get the same and better salaries in an up-to-date hospital. (6) Some of the nurses find the winter very cold, thus causing much extra and rather dirty work keeping so many fires going. Finally, it is my opinion that so long as the’ board maintains the present hospital, it will continue to hav<' difficulties in keeping a nursing staff.” The report tv as received on the motion of Messrs Dowling and Morgan. CORRESPONDENCE. The formal consent of the Minister of Health to the proposed capital expenditure on the new hospital was forwarded by the department. The secretary of the Waipiata Sanatorium Committee forwarded a copy of a resolution passed on June 3, 1926 — namely. That Dr Kidd be allowed to assist Dr Eudey in this diversion (the administering of anaesthetics) whenever required, during the pleasure of tne committee.

In reply to the board’s resolution to the effect that a special ward should be added to the sanatorium for dealing with advanced cases of tuberculosis, the secretary intimated that his board regretted that it could not at the present time consider the erection of such a, ward. The commitee considered that for really- advanced cases suitable accommodation ' should be provided at, or near, the district hospital, close to their homes - and relatives, and the majority of the hospital boards in the Dominion had made provision in this way for_ such patients. ' I? 1 '. Watson’s letter applying for tnc position of anesthetist to the Nasc by Hospital was considered.—Mr Nicolson moved, and Mr Strong seconded —“ That Dr Watson be appointed to administer anaesthetics Vr Hhld.”—As an amendment Mr Dowling moved—“Tnat the question he left open until the new hospital is established .at Ranfurly, and that it be left to patients to name their own doctor to give anaesthetics, but the fee of £3 3s be guaranteed by the board.”—Seconded by Mr Morgan. ■ As the motion was supported by only' the mover aud seconder, the amendment was carried.

• Electric Power Board wrote giving details of procedure in connection with raising; loan. If the poll were catried by two-thirds o£_ the people voting, orders • e ma^er ial required would be placed within the following week. If affairs went ahead without a hitch the board would be ready to supply the district within 12 months. GENERAL. Dr Eudey reported that he had had to purchase a new steriliser, aud requested authority to older some necessary furniture and about £IOO worth of linen aud napery.—On the motion of _ Messrs Morgan and Lewis his action in purchasing the steriliser was approved, and he was authorised to purchase the linen and furniture required. « The chairman said that Mr Fraser’s residence at Ranfurly could be purchased for a doctor’s residence. It cost £2OOO and could be purchased for £I9OO. —Mr Strong raised the question of charging the doctor rent when established in the new residence at Ranfurly.—The board decided to inspect the property. Mr Dowling asked what was the reason of the inadequate supply of water at the recent sanatorium fire.—Mr Morgan said that that was a matter loft in the doctor’s hands, and Mr Aitken undertook to make inquiries at nest meeting of the committee. Mr Dowling pointed out that it would be necessary to have a secretary of works to supervise the building of the new hospital.—Left to the Works Committee to make inquiries. Mr Strong pointed out that the filling in of the hospital ground with tailings was likely to silt up the fire plug. It required an extension pipe to raise it a foot or so. —The matter was left in Mr Strong’s hands. FINANCE. Accounts amounting to £640 5s 2d were passed for payment.