WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22204, 6 March 1934, Page 11

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

MEETING OF COMMITTEE The Waipiata Sanatorium Committee met at Dunedin on Tuesday-last, there being present B. Macdonald (chairman), J. Rodman, W. Bryant, T. A. Lewis, J. Ritchie, J. W. Fenton, T. Golden, J. G. Johnston, and Dr T. E. Ritchie. Leave of absence was granted to Mr J. C. Thomson (Riverton), Mr J. G. Johnston representing the Wallace, Hospital Board in his place. The secretary was directed to write Mr Thomson informing him of the committee’s regret at bis inability to be present, and wishing him early, restoration to health. The Southland Hospital Board wrote thanking the committee and staff for the hospitality extended to its members on their recent visit to the sanatorium, and complimented it on the fine buildings erected, the appearance of the grounds and farm, and the success achieved in connection with the treatment of patients during the past 10 years. , ■ ’ The secretary of the Nurses and Midwives’ Registration Board wrote regarding the necessity "for all registered nurses keeping the board advised of any change in their addresses.r-Noted, the secretary to advise all registered nurses on the sanatorium staff of the new regula-

Messrs Adams Bros., solicitors, Dunedin, submitted a draft copy of the fresh agreement that was being prepared in connection with the management of the sanatorium for a further term by the eight associated hospital boards. — After full discussion the draft was approved, the solicitors to be instructed to have the document completed and forwarded to the boards concerned for completion. MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT.

Dr A. Kidd reported that 12 patients had been admitted in January and eight discharged, while 105 remained on February 1. These, with the exception of nine just admitted and 14 whose condition was stationary, were doing well or improving. He reported on his visits to the different centres during the month and recommended as suitable for treatment four patients from Waitaki, one each from South Canterbury and Southland, and three from Ashburton hospital districts, the secretary stating that all these patients had made formal application and some had already been admitted to the institution. hydro-electric .plant. In connection with the institution’s hydro-electric power plant, Mr A. E. Ellis, engineer, reported that by a better adjustment of the load further use could be made of the plant for other services. He suggested that a test should be made of the light and full loads on the power lines and stated that some of the lines might require strengthening. The report was adopted, the committee deciding to take immediate steps to have the whole plant and equipment tested on the lines suggested by Mr Ellis, and obtain a report as to the cost of making further use of the current available, with a view to reducing the committee’s cool bill. BED STATE. The secretary reported that at the date of meeting the following districts, had patients in the institution :~~South Canterbury 24, Southland S6j Ashburton 7, Waitaki 14, South Otago 5, Wallace 9, Vincent 5, Mauiototo 1, Woipiata Sanatorium Committee I—a total of 105. Of thot number 27 had been receiving treatment for more than one year. Since the previous meeting of the committee six patients had been discharged, all with the disease arrested. He submitted a waiting list of 20 males and 13 females from six of the associated hospital districts, the largest number being from Southland. Arrangements had been made, however, for the immediate admission of ten females and one male, leaving actually 10 males and three females to be admitted as beds are available. GENERAL The farm manager submitted his usual return of mjlk and meat supplied to the, institution during January, while the Farm Committee submitted a full report of the requirements of the farm for the next 12 months. The committee suggested that some better arrangements than at present existed should be in operation for chaff-cutting purposes, either by thq purchase of a tractor, or, if possible, securing the services of someone, with a chaff-cutting plant in the. district. The committee also recommended the purchase of a line of wethers and bullocks for the meat supply for the sanatorium.

The latter request was left in the Farm Committee’,» hands with power to act* while the purchase of a tractor and chaff-cutting arrangements were held v over for further report. x u i The treasurer reported on the commit tee’s receipts and payments since last > meeting, showing that on February SI there was a credit balance of £771 13s / Jld in the committee’s current account. He also submitted a statement of the maintenance receipts and payments for 11 months as compared with the estimates for the year, which showed that while the committee's income was somq £7OO below what was estimated, the expenditure on the other hand had besri carefully watched and had mors thail balanced the committee’s reduced income for the period.-—The report was- considered satisfactory in view of the small charge at present made for the maintenance of patients, and it was decided that in next year’s estimates provision should be made for a certain amount of expenditure for further development of the hydro-electric plant, furnishing of the" new men’s shelters now in the court# of erection, and the collection from tfli contributory boards of the levies mado towards the cost of the shelters referred to. .•> . Accounts and salaries totalling 48Mj[ 3s 8d were passed for payment.