WAIAPU HOSPITAL BOARD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18064, 15 April 1933, Page 6

WAIAPU HOSPITAL BOARD

INCREASES IN THE STAFF BUILDING PLANS HELD UP (Herald Correspondent.) Conditions at the Waiapu Hospital Board’s institution at Te Puia have reached such a stage that the medical superintendent is urging the board to furnish more space for patients, while the board itself is endeavoring to secure from tile Department of Health its sanction for a buiidingi programme designed to add to the facilities of the hospital, the department having so far refused its consent to the proposals of the board, though it has intimated that work may proceed on additions to the nurses’ accommodation. The board is continuing its efforts to convince the department of tho necessity of additions to tho patients’ accommodation. The matter was discussed at last meeting of the board, held on Monday, when there were present Messrs. A. J. H. Kirkham, chairman, C. 11. McCracken, U. AleKeddie, A. W. Kirk, F. W. T Fox, A. B. Williams, W. H. O, Johnston, and V. G. 11. Rickard. Mr. C. 11 E. Wood forwarded an apology for unavoidable absence. Among tho correspondence was a letter from the Department of Health asking the board to consider an increase in the,nursing staff, and pointing out that a trained nurse should he on duty at night. This suggestion was adopted, and the secretary was instructed to advise the Director-General that the proposed increase would be made. A further letter from the department stated that tho proposals for expending £1450 in additions to the hospital could not bo recommended, though tho proposed additions to the nurses’ home were agreed to tentatively. After discussion, it was agreed that a tent be furnished as temporary accommodation for a part of the nursing staff, rending the completion of permanent additions. CASES REFUSED ADMISSION The medical superintendent, Dr. N. R. Mackay, reported that it had been necessary to refuse admission to six cases last month, owing to the accommodation available being insufficient for patients and the staff. He urged that something would liave to be done to relieve the position, and mentioned that the cost per occupied bed in the hospital had been reduced considerably. The secretary was instructed to renew the representations to the department, in respect of the additions considered necessary. Monthly reports received by the board indicated that 24 cases had been admitted during the month, and 23 discharged, there being 23 still hi the institution at the end of the period. One death had occurred during the month. At tho maternity home, one case had been admitted, and three discharged, four remaining in the home at the close of the month. The district nurse at Tikitiki reported that three Europeans and 57 Maoris had been treated during! the month, and that five Maori settlements and four native schools had been visited. ESTIMATES FOR 1933-34 In a survey of the past year, the medical superintendent reported that the total admissions for the 12 months numbered 329, and that the average of occupied beds per day was 19.9. Ia the matter of the board’s finances, tho secretary stated that the maintenance receipts had amounted to £4388 14s 7d, and the payments on account of maintenance to £5122 6s 2d, leaving a debit balance of £733 11s 7d. Capital expenditure had amounted to £877 17s 2d, there being a credit balance of £163 6s 5d in the capital account. The bank overdraft at March 31 was £570 5s 2d.

Maintenance payments for the ensuing year wire estimated to total £SBBI, as

against actual expenditures of £5122 for the past year. Outstanding items in the est. mated expenditure for maintenance included Te Puia Hospital £3314, Tokomaru Bay Hospital £504, and Te Araroa II is p.tal £52; district nursing, £265; outdoor relief, £125; administration, £575, and payments to other boards, £3OO. levies' outstanding at March 31, ana still collectable, were shown at £723, and subsidies outstanding at £278; patients’ fees were expected to contribute £950, and subsidies for the new financial year £1649. The maintenance levies on constituent bodies were placed at £2240, as against £2043 last year, of which only £1591 was collected. Capital works contemplated for the new financial year aro estimated to cost £1765, and of this amount constituent bodies are expected to find £691, in addition to capital levies outstanding at the closo of last year, and representing £134 ]os. Subsidies will provide £691, and voluntary contributions, which last- year realised the substantial sum of £317 4s, ire considered likely to reach £lO this vear.