PATEA HOSPITAL BOARD

Patea Mail, Volume XLIX, 14 November 1928, Page 3

PATEA HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Fatea Hospital Board was held in the County Council chambers yesterday, Mr. C. It. Honcyileld presiding. Messrs. TL S. Scown, C. W. Back, W. Watson, W. G. Bolton, and G. Alexander were also present. ESTIMATE OE PAINTING. Mr. A. G. Kccd, Patca, as requested, wrote undertaking to do certain painting work at the hospital for the sum of £o'J 18s fid. He stated that owing >to the key of the laths in the isolation ward being broken, he could not give an estimate of the cost of plastering the ceiling, but he would undertake to execute this work ; to be charged for by time and material, which would bo quite a nominal cost. The matter was left in the hand.or the chairman, with power to act. LETTER OE APPRECIATION. Mr. W. J. McComisky wrote expressing his sincere thanks for the very kind attention received whilst he was a patient at the hospital. Received. TRAINING OF NURSES. The New Zealand Trained Nurses Association wrote asking for tin board's favourable consideration of the following resolutions passed at the recent conference /)f the association; — (1) That no nu/se should be appointed to a sister’sLppsition until she hasbeen a staff nurse for at least two years after passing the State examination in her own or another hospital or both; (2) That before a staff nurse is appointedd to the position of ward sister she should pass a further test by the matron or her deputy in (a) 'practical nursing, (b) ward management, (c) teaching methods; (fi) That in hospitals where ‘a. fourth year's service is expected of the nurse she should ihave the opportunity during that year of qualifying in one of the following: (a) Maternity nursing, (b) child welfare nursing, (c) neuropathic nursing, (cl) tuberculosis nursing, (e) district nursing.

The letter was received,

CHILDREN’S WARD. The Director-General of Health wrote saying that he was still uncertain with regard to the proposed site of the children’s ward. He did not altogether agree with the opinion of the members of the board and Dr. Simmons that it the ichildren’s ward was added to the women’s ward it w ( as not near enough to the isolation ward for the children to be in danger of infectious disease. He agreed that if the ward was added to the men’s ward the grounds would be disfigured to some extent, but this would be overcome in time. With regard to the board : s objection to transposing- the men’s and women’s wards, owing to the lack of accommodation for male patients that would result, he said the proposed addition would give accommodation for 31 beds, atnd this should be sufficient for the population of the district. He would like the matter considered further, and would endeavour to visit Patea and discuss the matter further with the board and Dr Simmons before Christmas. The chairman reported that the sum of £2OOO had beem received from Mr. F. F. Warren, executor of the estate of the late Mr. Hunter ShaAv, as a donation towards the children’s ward. The sum had been placed at iixed deposit for six months, pending the settling of the question .of the site of the waid. The chairman said the Director’s reply to tho board’s letter was a ridiculous one. The board could do nothing, though, until he came up. The matter was accordingly held over until that time. / MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. | 'The medical superintendent, Dr. W., T. Simmons, reported as follow's:—Patients in hospital at beginning of month, 21; admitted, 24; discharged, 24; died 1; remaining in hospital, 23. The report was adopted. MATRON'S REPORT. The matron’s (Miss Kelly) report was read as follow's and adopted: — Nurse Coombes and Nurse McKinnon have passed their hospital examination with credit, and are due to sit for their State examination in Wanganui on December 5 and 0. Again i would like to let the board know how kind Mr. Jas. Gibbs, of Alton, has been in bringing quantities of vegetables to the hospital, often twice a week. It Avas .resolved that a letter of appreciation be fonvarded Mr. Gibbs for Ms generous and kindly action. ■GENERAL. Messrs. Alexander and Watson were appointed a visiting committee for the ensuing month. It was decided to have the leaking pipes in the drying room of the laundry attended to, and to ask Mr. J. Jackson to give a detailed estimate by next meeting of the cost ot installing a 40 gallon copper with tap and iron bar underneath. Accounts were read and passed for payment and the board then rose.