SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD.
The following appeared in our Second Edi ion last week -
The monthly meeting- of the South Otago Hospital Board was held at Balclutha on J'uosday, and was attended by Messrs A. S. Malcolm (chairman), J. Gumming, A. King, A Harris, Jasper Clark, J. W . Feuton, A. Rennie, H. A. Brough, and H. M. Driver. _ The Matron of the Kaitangata Cottage Hospital reported that during April two oases were admitted, One was discharged, and four remained. There were also four outpatients and four dental patients for the period.—The report was adopted. The Department of Health notified by a circular letter that in future the board would be required to pay for its own drugs for the treatment of venereal disease. The general opinion of the board was that the problem was a national concern, and on this ground a motion was passed protesting against the department’s action. The Department of Health also wrote notifying the Minister’s approval of the board’s estimate for the year 1924-25. The Secretary of the Otago Hospital Board wrote notifying that there were 38 patients from the South Otago district in the Otago board’s insitutions at April 30. The board's architects (Messrs Mason and Wales) reported that they had visited the Owaka and Milton Hospitals last week. At Owaka the painting was nearly completed and satisfactory work was being done. Dr Stenhouse was of opinion that the electric light fitting in the theatre was not sufficient and he suggested that six rise and fall pendants should be fitted in place of the fitting included in the contract. This would cost £l4. The contractor had also stated that he had been requested to quote a price for carrying the electric light to a post at each gate, the posts to be supplied and erected by the board. This work would involve the board in an expenditure of £26. At Milton the contractors had brought the carpenters from the Owaka Hospital and consequently the work was proceeding more satisfactorily. The painters were to have started the finishing work at this building on Thursday last. In reply to the board’s inquiry as to what date they expected to have the plans for the Balclutha Hospital ready, the writers stated that they had received on May 7 the department’s authority to proceed with the working drawings and had approved of the lay out. They would probably be in a position to submit the completed plans for the board’s July meeting. The plans and specifications for the engineering services were yet to be rooeived from the department, who had stated that they would be forwarded at an early ’The writers also enclosed certificates for £SCO for each hospital. It was decided to hold over the lighting of the theatre at Owaka in the -meantime, and the lighting of the posts was left to Messrs Brough and Simpson, with power to act. Mr Wales, who was present, said he thought that the stag might be able to assume its duties at Owaka in June. The Chairman reported that 12 applications for the position of matron and seven for the position of sister had been received for the Owaka and Milton Hospitals. They were all from persons admirably suited for the position, and two matrons and two sisters would be appointed from these applicants. A deputation from the local branch of the Plunket Society, consisting of Messrs' A. E. Stewart, R. K. Stewart, and T. D. Pearson waited on the board for the purpose of soliciting financial assistance for the society. Mr A. E. Stewart said that while they know that the board had its own staff, the nurses of the Plunket Societv were doing work altogether outside the sphere of the hoard’s nurses, and they claimed that they were justified in appealing for funds to a bodv for which thev wpre saving money every year. If the board decided to make a grant he would ask that it should be an annual one. The society’s revenue consisted purely of voluntary' subscriptions, for only by appealing to the public could the interest in the movement be maintained. Mr R. R. Stewart pointed out that there were no charges to mothers for tfie services of Plunket nurses, and they were only asked to make a contribution. In many cases too many cases—these subscriptions were tritl.ng and country visitors to Balclutha, who caked at t.ie Plunket nurse’s rooms lost an opportunity to contribute, for thev were not asked to do so. B v asking local bodies to contribute, they were asking all the people, including those outside the borough, for financial assistance. The nurses’ services, he concluded, were also voluntary. -) Ir , P f arson eaid that the most difficult task of the nurses was canvassing from house to house for funds, and they should not be required to do this. The deputation having withdrawn, Mr Rennie spoke in favour of making a grant. Kew Zealand, he said, had the lowest infantile and maternal death rate in the world and the Plunket Society was largelv responsible for this. He would move" that a grant of £lO be made to each branch In the district. Tile motion was carried, it being further resolved that the grant be made only during the pleasure of the board. The Secretary reported that the water pumps for the new Balclutha Hospital had been installed up to the base of the tower. The engine had been run, and the pump had been given a good trial, so that the work of putting the water up to the base was now complete. Mr H. Simpson had' recommended that a small temporary shed of galvanised iron should be erected over the engine and the pump.—Mr Simpson was given power to act in this direction. The financial statement for the month ended May 12 showed a credit balance in the general account of £1275 16s Id.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 3662, 20 May 1924, Page 32
Word Count
984SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD. Otago Witness, Issue 3662, 20 May 1924, Page 32
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