WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23005, 7 October 1936, Page 5

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

MEETING OF COMMITTEE The Waipiata Sanatorium Committee held its last meeting at Waipiata. There'were present Messrs E. Macdonald (chairman), W. Bryant, T. Golden, J. Rodman, J. Ritchie, T. Dowling, J. H. Smith, A. Rermie, Dr T. M'Kibbin (representing the Department of Health), and Dr W. M. Macl.urin (acting medical superintendent). The acting medical superintendent reported that there were 122 patients in the institution on September 1, and with the exception of 13, whose condition was stationary, all were doing well or improving. He reported that the internal telephone system was not working satisfactorily and he was authorised to act in procuring certain requirements for the system. Certain staff changes were noted, and the filling of vacancies was left in the hands of the medical superintendent and matron with power to act. TJk usual requisitions for goods, including an indent order . for hot-water bags, were granted. The contractor for the supply of bread to the institution notified that it would be necessary, owing to the recent legislation, tr increase the price of bread by at least Id per 41b loaf.—This was noted, the committee agreeing to pay the extra price asked. The secretary was directed to invite tenders for the supply of coal for a further term

The secretary reported that at the date of meeting the Associated Boards had patients in the institution as follows:—South Canterbury 17, Southland. 58, Ashburton 10, Waitaki 7, South Otago 6, Wallace 5, Vincent 3, Maniototo s—a total of 111, of whom 54 were males and 57 females. Of that number 36 had been under treatment in the institution for more than 12 months. Since the previous meeting 15 patients from four different districts had been discharged. At the date of the meeting there was a waiting list of--14 patients from four hospital districts, but as arrangements had been made for the immediate admission of four of these the actual list was thus reduced to 10.

The Director-general of Health (Df M. H. ; Watt) advised that the Minister (Mr P. Fraser) had approved of the extra capital expenditure of £llOs in connection with the contract for building additional shelters for male patients and additions to the staff quarters, and also stated that the Minister was prepared to approve of a supplementary levy on the Associated Boards for the extra amount required.—The communications were received and the recommendation regarding a supplementary levy was agreed to; the architect to be instructed to have the contract with the lowest tenderer, W. M'Lellan. Ltd.. signed and completed. THE SALTZMAN BLOCK

Edmund R. Wilson, architect, Invercargill, submitted an amended sketch plan of the Samuel Saltzman administrative and treatment block, providing for better surgical and treatment facilities than were shown on the original plan.—The amended plan was approved, the secretary being directed to have preliminary drawing of same forwarded to the Department of Health. In connection with the heating of this block and the rest of the sanatorium buildings, the architect suggested the desirability of providing a central heating system for the whole institution, pointing out the fuel saving that would be effected, apart from the efficiency that would result as compared with the present system of using a number of small boilers in the different buildings. It was decided to obtain a further report on the proposal, with the estimated cost, for submission. to the next meeting, the heating and sterilising proposals for the administrative block to be held over for further consideration. GENERAL

The farm manager (Mr B Ritchie) submitted his monthly report of milk and meat supplied to the institution, the secretary reporting that £95 4s lOd had been received during the month from the sale of sheepskins. Mr James Ritchie reported on the arrangements he had made for the half-yearly inspection of the hydroelectric plant, and his action in the matter was approved. The engineer (Mr Ellis) on his next visit will report on the estimated load available for X-r'ay and other work which the plant might be called upon to perform.. Certain adjustments in staff salaries were made as from September 1.

Accounts and salaries totalling, £1540 6s lid were passed for payment, and it was decided to hold the next meeting of the committee in Dunedin on October 27 During the afternoon the committee, under the guidance of the farm manager and the Farm Committee, inspected the farm and water supply All the stock had been well cared for during the winter months and was looking well. Mr Dowling was authorised to act in the matter of obtaining a price foi a quantity of oioing for the purpose of reoair-

ing or making extensions to the committee's irrigation scheme. The committee inspected the farm manager's residence, which is in the course of erection, and the secretary was directed to make a progress payment to the contractor. SECRETARY'S ANNUAL REPORT The secretary submitted his an-, nual report for the year ended March 31, 1936. He pointed out the low cost per occupied bed for-the past year, namely £100.83, the lowest since the institution was.opened. He referred to the lack of, accommodation for male patients and the steps that were now being taken to overcome the difficulty. He also referred to the satisfactory amount received for farm ,sales during the past year, including £4OO for wool, and the fact that the whole of the committee's milking herd had again given a negative result when tested for tuberculosis by the veterinary officers of the Department of Agriculture. He reported on the water supply, and the changes in the staff during the year caused by the resignation of Miss M. Shepherd (matron) in November, and the appointment of Miss E. Pryor, of Timaru, in February this year: also to the fact that Dr A. Kidd (medical superintendent) was at present on nine months' leave in Great Britain and Europe for the purpose,of further study and research in connection with the treatment of tuberculosis in these countries, Dr W. M. Maclr.ijrin havine been appointed acting

medical superintendent during his absence. The report was adopted, the secretary being thanked and directed to have it printed along with the medical superintendent's report and the audited accounts for the past year