SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22257, 9 May 1934, Page 12

SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITALS

MONTHLY OF BOAtfD The monthly; hweifcing of the South Otago Hospital Board was held at Balr clutha yesterday, and was attended by Messrs J. W. Fenton (chairman), A. King, D. M'Gregor, A. JSennie,T. H. Russell, W. Sutherland, W. 'J. M'Kenzie, W. S. Thomson, H. AJ. ;Brough, J. ; ,Christie, and F. Waite. \ SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. The medical superintendent submitted the following statistics for April in connection with ' the hospitals under th* board's control; the figures fot the corresponding month of last year being given in parentheses:—-. • .-. . ,-■■.•■ M Balclutha Hospital.r-Adralssions, 61 £421, discharges 60 (37),. remaining « Owaka Hospital.—Admission« discharges 14 (11), remaining lnM)>\< Milton Hospital.—Admissions 12. (lIJ, discharges. 15 (12), remaining 2 («).! • Kaitangata .Hospital.—Admissions - , a (7), -discharges 5 (&)', remaininng ml (3), out-patients 1 (4).—Noted. FINANCE. , The treasurer (Mr W. Roy) Teported that at March 30 there was & credit balance of £402 8s Id. Receipts; for April amounted to £3BO 18s lid, and expenditure to £1216 14s fid, so that at April 30 there was a debit balance of £415 "6s sa. —Noted. ' . ~..H?.' ADMISSION OF URGENT CASES,: -Mr Russell said that recently a tnan who had met with an accident had been refused admission-to one of .the., board* hospitals until he_ could j>rodnce-* doctor's certificate. Ha (Mr-Russell) did not think that this was- 'right,/ and ?%• considered that .the board, should lay down some definite ruling to prevent a recurrence of such an incident. * -' The chairman explained that, the board's regulations called for the production of a medical certificate before, a. patient could be admitted to one of its institutions, it had been the practice_in cases of urgency to waive this ruling. t The sister in charge of the hospital mentioned by Mr Russell was probably, unaware of this -procedure. . , It Was decided to advise the boards hospitals that in the case of accidentia* patient should:--be .admitted . instantly, pending examination by a doctor.. ; RESIDENCE FOR DOCTOR. .' In accordance with notice previously lodged, Mr King- moved—" That th« motion carried at a nrevious meeting pro-' viding for £lsoo to be placed on the estimates for a doctor's residence be rescinded." . , '■'.>' Mr Eennie seconded the motion. ;_? ' The chairman said that whilst in Wellington recently he had interviewed the director .of health, who had told him that the department was willing to allow £IOOO to be placed on the estimates this year and £SOO next year for the erection of a doctor's house. Mr Russell asked why Mr King objected to the work being proceeded with. ' Mr King explained that it was entirely on account of a lack of funds. When ha could see that the board was able to spend. £ISOO for a doctor's residence he would be perfectly willing to agree to the .expenditure. Extra expenditure at the present time meant an additional burden on the ratepayers. . t , • The chairman said that to be perfectly frank ha did not think that Mr King had brought his motion forward for financial reasons, as he had agreed to the proposal previously. ■ Statistics over the past few years showed conclusively that the necessity for a medical officer's residence rie a p the hospital was more, urgent than-, ever. .It was a paltry argument that the rates would increase if provision were made for such a building.' In the circumstances the board should go oh with the work. He considered that it would he-making a wise move if it did so. Mr Christie expressed agreement with the chairman's remarks.. The provision of accommodation near the hospital for the house surgeon was, in his opinion, an absolute necessity; moreover,.in the interest* of economy such provision' should be made. Sooner or later a residence would have to be erected near the hospital. Why not go on with it now? . • Mr Waite said that in view of the facts that the department had approved the inclusion of £IOOO in the present years estimates, the board should take advantage of the opportunity and go on with the work. He did not think that the expenditure of the amount would affect the rates to any great extent. ... ; Mr Brough said he realised the necessity for a doctor's residence, but be thought that no harm would be done if the erection of it were held over for 12 months. . w' : i' ;, -it Mr Suthrland pointed out that the proposed expenditure would mean an; increase in the rates of one sixty-second of a penny in the £l. which, on a property of a rateable value of £2OOO, meant an increase in rating of 5s 4d, or, if..-the amount were spread, over two years,;-* Bd. ......... '-..- .. „_: ..::,, . The motion was then put to xhm meeting and carried. . i ;•*.