WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23885, 12 August 1939, Page 2

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

MEETING OF COMMITTEE The committee of the Waipiata Sanatorium met in Dunedin on August 1, when there were present Messrs E. Macdonald (chairman), W. Bryant, J. Rodman, J. Ritchie, T. Golden, J. H. Smith, W. J. McKenzie and Inspector Craighead, representing the Department of Health, i , The Maniototo Hospital Board advised that Mr Bruce A. Todd. Kyeburn Diggings, had been appointed as that board’s representative on the committee for the ensuing term. Before commencing the meeting the chairman referred to the misfortune that had befallen the Southland Hospital Board that day in the destruction by fire of portion of its new hospital at Kew, and from reports received he expressed his admiration for the fine work that had been done by the medical and nursing staff in evacuating the building so quickly without any accident or fatality. Mr Golden, on behalf of the Southland Board, briefly thanked the chairman for his message of sympathy. Dr A. Kidd (medical superintendent) reported that at the end of June there were 135 patients in the institution—67 males and 68 females. During June five patients had been admitted and five discharged. He reported on his visits to the different ‘'centres in the committee’s district during the month and recommended as suitable for treatment seven patients from Southland, two from Waitaki and one from South Otago. The matter of installing a new cooking unit at the sanatorium kitchen was left in the hands of the secretary. Secretary’s Residence. —Mr Allan C. Ford, architect, Invercargill, submitted a sketch plart for this building, but as the estimated cost was in excess of the amount provided for in the committee’s estimates, the secretary was directed to confer with the 'architect with a view to modifying same. _ „ Bed State.—The secretary (T. Pryde) reported that at date the associated boards had patients in the institution as follows:—Southland 60. South Canterbury 21, Ashburton 11, Waitaki 11, South Otago 17. Vincent 7. Maniototo 3—a total of 130. Of that number 50 had been under treatment for more than 12 months. Since the previous meeting nine patients from four districts had been discharged. He submitted a waiting list of 27 patients from four districts, and stated that arrangements had already been made for the admission of several thus re-4n'-ine the number actually waiting. Electric Power Supply—Mr J. Ritchie reported that he had discussed the matter of electric power with the Otago Power Board, but as no definite arrangements had been decided upon, the board’s engineer had been directed io go further into the matter with Dr Kidd (medical superintendent) and submit proposals to next meeting of die committee The treasurer submitted a statement of the committee’s receipts and payments for three months ended June 30, as compared with the amounts estimated for the period. The actual maintenance receipts were considerably below the amount estimated, while the maintenance expenditure was slightly 'ess There was a credit balance at the Bank ..i New Zealand. Invercargill of £2910 h lOd , u . The treasurer also reported that -once the last meeting, the directorgeneral of Health had forwarded the department’s approval to the committee’s estimates for 1939-40. It was decided that until March 31. 1940. the arrangements already made between the committee and the associated boards for payment for their patients would continue, namely that each board should pay 7s per day per ratient plus its share of a maintenance levy for the year, each board to make a claim to the Social Security Department for payment under the Act for its patients maintained in the sanatorium

trom July 1, the committee and the medical superintendent to give the uoards all the assistance necessary in seeing that the patients are registered under the Social Security Act and eligible to receive hospital benefits. Mr Golden and Mr Smith, on behalf of the Southland Board brought up the question of providing more accommodation for patients at the sanatorium, and after some discussion the matter was held over until the September meeting, when the committee will be visiting Waipiata. _ Accounts and salaries totalling £1959 0s lOd were examined and passed for payment. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the committee in Dunedin on August 29.