HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 33

HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

THEIR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. DR BATCHELOR'S VIEWS. The monthly meetiag of the Hospital Trustees took place on the 11th inst. Present: Messrs S. Solomon, K.C., John Mill, H. LeCren, M. Stevenson, A. Tapper, and Dr Batchelor. Mr S. Solomon was unanimously elected chairman, and thanked the trustees for the honour. a trustee's duties. In returning thanks for his election to the trustees, Dr Batch&lor said he^ had worked on the Hospital staff for over 20 years, but realised that those onerous duties must soon be relegated to 6ome younger and more active member of the profession. He would always consider the greatest work of his life had been a persistent endeavour tc make the Hospital a wellequipped and up-to-date institution, and a credit to the town and district. He trusted that he would still be permitted to assist the board in the management of a hospital . in which he would always take the keenest interest. The maiD object that had in- , duced him to seek a position on. the board of trustees was that he held a strong con- , viction that the management of a large , hospital such as this could not be efficiently . and satisfacorily conducted unless the medical staff was represented on the manage- ■ ment. A hospital should be so maintained - as to ensure the patients being, treated by ; the highest available drill, with the beet appliances that the medical and surgical . science of the day could, provide. Medical science, and- the subsidiary art of treat- : ment, and nursing, had now become such a complex' question that no body of laymen however intelligent or well informed, could ' hope to cope with the number of intricate ' and complex problems that must from time • to time present themselves, unless guided by an expert medical opinion. Under this system, where elsewhere adopted, difficul- - ties were smoothed over, and economy and efficiency strengthened # * Messrs Stevenson and LeOren briefly returned thanks for their election. ' Letters from the medical staff proposing that all patients before admission should sign a declaration to the effect that they were unable to. pay for their treatment and maintenance, also suggesting a slight change in the hours of atendance, were '- referred to the House Committee. REPOBTS. The House Committee reported having 1 - received a letter from the honorary medical staff unanimously recommending Mr E. Booth to the appointment of honorary > masseur to the Hospital. Mr A. WV . Kensley's tender for erecting an iron fence, \ gate, concrete blocks, etc., for £23 had been accepted. The following donations had ~ been received : —John Jardine," £10; Mn „ Clark, books; Mr .^ardy, papers ; Mornington Methodist Christian Endeavour, booki and papers •„ Mr Logic, two books for - Nurses' Home. The Finance Committee reported that salaries and accounts for November amount* ing to £845 16t Sd had been examined and passed for payment, subject to the. • approval of the trustees. Receipts for, , November ♦ere as follow : — In-patients, £184 Os 8d; out-patients, £9 5s 6d; yoluntary contributions, £78 18s 6d; donation?, £21; subscription box, 18s 4d; sales, £2 Sa - 7d; medical certificate* 7s-6d;-*otar, £296 16s Id. The receipts for the current month were: — In-patients, £34- 17s 8d; outpatients, £4 6s; voluntary contributions, 5s ;| medical certificate, 15s ; subscription box, 4a 9d;— total, £40 8s sd. The bank pass book showed a credit balance of £1869 5a 6d, and the building account a credit balance of £7808 Is lid. The Hospital Board had remitted £666 13e 4d in payment of salaries for November. — Reportadopted. The medical report was submitted and received. DBUBITJM TBEMENS OASES. Dr Batchelor called' attention to what he said was the chocking condition at accommodation for delirium tmmen* patients, which waa nothing but a dungeon. He gave notice of motion that the resolution passed in reference to this at the last meeting be rescinded. GENERAL. Dr Batchelor wished to air a grievanca of the medical staff. A full report had been drawn up in reference to requirements, and other details for submission to tha trustees, but nothing more had been heard of it. It was resolved to procure copies of this report for circulation among the trustees! It was resolved that a minute be recorded in the books of the institution expressing the appreciation of the trustees of the services rendered to the institution by Messrs Wills, Robin, and Dr <Riley, and that a copy of' such minute be sent to each of these gentlemen.