HOSPITAL BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24776, 28 November 1941, Page 8

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Otago Hospital Board was held last night, and was attended by Messrs J. W. Dove (chairman), D. J. Calder, J. George, A. F. Quelch. A. Steel, Dr D. G. McMillan, Dr W. Newlands, Miss Farquharson and Mrs Walter Ross. The monthly statistics shewed that the number of patients remaining in the Dunedin Hospital on October 31 was 378 —195 males and 183 females. District Nursing A deputation waited on the board from the St. Kilda and St. flair District Nursing Association to ask tor an authoritative statement from the board regarding its proposals in the matter of a district nursing scheme. The board was addressed by Messrs J. H. Hinton and W. Taylor. The chairman said the board had resolved to have a district nursing scheme initiated and with that object in view there was at present an officer in Australia who would report on her return to Dunedin. The board's scheme would cover the whole of Otago. X-Ray Black The Director-general of Health (Dr M. H. Watt) wrote notifying Ministerial approval of the erection of an X-ray block and wards in connection with the Dunedin Hospital. Dr Newlands asked if there was a reasonable assurance that they would be able to secure the necessary material for the buildings. The chairman said that the contractors did not anticipate any difficulty in this connection. Nursing • Aids The Director-general of Health forwarded information in regard to a scheme for training obstetrical nursing aids. The chairman said that the scheme was a step backward in view of the proposals which the board had in mind. It was decided to refer the matter to the Hospital Committee. Emergency Precautions

A letter was received from the Mayor of Palmerston outlining the arrangements for the use of the Palmerston Hospital in the event of a national emergency, and these were approved.

In connection with the use of members of the Townswomen's Guild for nonmedical duties in hcspitals in the event of an emergency, the chairman pointed out that, according to the regulations, women workers would have to join either the St, John or the Red Cross and would have to fulfil certain conditions before they cculd be available for service. It was decided to refer the matter to the Hospital Committee. General Mr J. L. Wylie notified his acceptance of the appointment as a co-optative member of the Tapanui Hospital Committee. Recommendations regarding the remission of accounts totalling £1343 18s Bd, due for maintenance, etc., in the Dunedfti and Queen Mary Maternity Hospitals and other institutions, were approved.