WAIPIATA SANATORIUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 17

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The committee met at Dunedin on Tuesday last, there being present J. Matheson (chairman), W. Bryant, E. Macdonald, A. Fraser, J. Clark, J. Horrell, J. Ritchie, and E. Morgan. Mr Cameron, health inspector, represented the Department of Health. Dr T. H. A. Valintine (Direc-tor-general of Health) and Dr Kidd (medical superintendent of Waipiata Sanatorium) were also present. CORRESPONDENCE. The New Zealand Friesian Association wrote drawing the committee’s attention to the advantages of Friesian cattle for the supply of milk to hospitals, etc.— Received. The South Canterbury Hospital Board advised that -with the permission of the committee it was the intention of its members to pay an official visit of inspection to the sanatorium some time in January next. —Received, members expressing their appreciation of the keen interest displayed in the institution bj' the members of the South Canterbury Hospital Board, and suggesting that it would be of great benefit to all the associated boards if members would personally visit the institution and obtain first-hand knowledge of the sanatorium and its work. REPORT OF MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT. Dr A. Kidd reported that 13 patients were admitted in October, 16 discharged, while 111 remained on November 1. Of that number the condition of three was reported as being stationary, while the were J°ing well or’improving. The report was adopted and a requisition for sundry requirements was granted, the matron being authorised to provide the u ® ual Christmas extras for patients and staff. SECRETARY’S REPORT. The secretary (T. Pryde) reported that at da.e of meeting the following boards had patients in the institution:—South So, Southland 40, Ashburton 18, VVaitaki 8, South Otago 8, Wallace 1 Mamototo 4, Vincent 1, and Waipiata Committee 1; a total of 116. Of this number one had been in the sanatorium for niore than 18 months, six for 12 months, and 109 for less than 12 months.

Since last meeting eight patients had been discharged’ seven with the disease ailested, and one disease quiescent. He reported that the waiting list of suitable patients was now down to 26 of whom 12 belonged to Southland, 8’ to South Canterbury, 2 to Ashburton, 1 to ’L and 3 . South Otago, a condition of things which was very gratifying to the committee and the associated

viS/,1 cr ® ta ?y a]so reported having vis ted the institution since last meeting and making arrangements with Mr O Cambridge to erect suitable gates at the lower entrance to the sanatorium, and a glasshouse for the gardener for seed-rais-purposes.—Approved. laundry. The secretary also reported that while at had ’ with Messrs Beck and Burrell, of the Public Works Department Dunedin, inspected the laundry plant and drying room, which were not satisfactory, and Mr Beck had arranged tLi C ? m ? UniC^ te w - ith the Government architect, with a view to having the difrnr„ent defec ‘ s PJ’t right, and the drying room altered.—Noted. norfod^ 8 - eonnecti oii the chairman reported having arranged with the Ashburton Board for Mr J. W. Wood, its laundry expert, to visit W aipiata and report on the whole plant, Mr Wood’s report indieating that the electric motor supplied in the contract was not of sufficient capacity to drive the machinery and should, if future trouble is to be avoided, be replaced by a more powerful machine. The hot air drying room arrangements had been altered, and were now very much improved, but it would be necessary to remove the wooden rails now fixed in the room, which were too low to enable the staff to work them conveniently, and moreover, the rails would stain the clothing. He suggested they should be removed and replaced with fin galvanised iron P’Pmg fitted nearer the ceiling, so that the staff could more conveniently do the work.

The steam washer was geared at too high a speed, which caused damage to the clothing and kept the floor damp, and in his opinion the second-hand two-roller steam mangle purchased by the committee .was unsuitable for the work of the institution, and should not have been installed. He also mentioned other minor things that should have the committee’s attention if they wished to have a satisfactory working plant. Report received, and the matter of giving effert to the different alterations suggested in the report left in the hands of the chairman, secretary, and medical superintendent with power to act. Mr Morgan, on behalf of the Farm Committee, reported having interviewed Mr J. L. Bruce, agricultural adviser to the Department of Health, last week on various matters connected with the running of the farm, but as Mr Bruce’s report had not come to hand discussion on same was held over until next meeting. T.B. COMMITTEE’S REPORT AND COMMITTEE’S POLICY.

By arrangement Dr Valintine (Directorgeneral of Health) discussed with the committee different aspects of its policy and administration of the Waipiata Sanatorium as refered to in the report of the T.B. Committee. He indicated what, in his opinion, were defects which he thought the committee should try and remedy, such as the class of patient treated, length of stay in the institution, etc., and suggested that the committee should consider joining up with the Otago Hospital Board and making use of the latter’s Wakari Hospital as a receiving station for patient from the districts of the associated boards prior to their admission to Waipiata Sanatorium. He also suggested that the committee should consider giving Dr Kidd, its medical superintendent, the necessary leave of absence to enable him to visit Great Britain and elsewhere so as to get in touch with the

latest ideas in connection with the treatment of consumptives. The chairman and members vigorously defended the policy now in operation and their entire confidence in the methods of treatment carried out by Dr Kidd at Waipiata, which were giving such satisfactory results. The chairman jocularly suggested to Dr Valintine that if he would be prepared to give him the same amount of money as the late T.B. Committee had cost the country, he (the chairman) would undertake to set up a committee of medical experts who, he felt sure, would, after investigation, bring in recommendations entirely different to those of the late committee so far as Waipiata was conerned. The members also indicated that at present they were not prepared to consider the proposed joining up with the Otago Hospital Board, which would be a departure from the original agreement and policy entered into by the eight associated boards some five years ago, and which had another five years to run. In any case, any proposed departure from the present arrangement to permit of another hospital board joining the association was one for the associated boards themselves to decide. Dr Valintine, in reply, stated lie had nothing but admiration for the enthusiasm of the committee and its loyalty' to its institution and medical superintendent. Nevertheless, he was disappointed that his suggestions were not more favourably considered at the present time. However, as the committee's waiting list of patients was now considerably reduced and there was no request for building any more bed accommodation for patients, he was quite willing to hold over consideration of his proposals to a future date. The chairman thanked Dr Valintine for having met the committee and for the free and frank discussion that had resulted, which was more satisfactory than letter writing. He asked Dr Valintine for departmental consent to the appointment of an assistant medical superintendent and the erection of a residence for the officer mentioned, which matters had earlier in the year been held over at. the Director-general’s request, until after the T.B. Committee had submitted its report, and these requests were acceded to by the Director-general. Subsequently it was decided to ask Mr E. R. Wilson, architect, Invercargill, to prepare plans and specifications of a suitable cottage in brick, and that steps be taken at an early date to invite applications for an assistant medical superintendent for the institution. The treasurer submitted a statement of the committee’s receipts and payments since last meeting, and reported that at date there was a bank credit balance of £1668 4s 4d. Accounts and salaries totalling £l5OO 10s 6d were passed for payment. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the committee at Waipiata on Wednesday, January 30, 1929, the chairman and secretary to pay all salaries and urgent accounts at the end of December.