WAIROA HOSPITAL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18163, 10 August 1933, Page 12

WAIROA HOSPITAL

MEETING OP BOARD (Herald Correspondent.) The Wairoa Hospital Board met on Tuesday’ afternoon. Present: —Mr P. J.' Brewster, chairman, Archdeacon Butterfield, Messrs. J. O. Scott, W. H. Brady, 11. L. Harker, J. M. Taylor, and R. Tapper, jun. Mr Harker reported on his visit to Wellington, to the effect that lie had Seen the Health Department, and Miss I ~'imbio, director of nursing, in respect to having Wairoa restored as a training centre for nurses, pointing out that it was hampering the hospital work through the nurses leaving the institution too soon and just when they were beginning to be efficient. lie suggested working 'in with Napier, but learned that Napier was not quite settled yet, hut would be soon. He suggested that some scheme should be adopted whereby nurses aids should go from Wairoa after 12 months, and the fourth-year nurses come to Wairoa. He later saw Mr Morse, chairman of-the Napier hoard, and he was sympathetic. It was eventually decided to leave the question in the hands of Miss Lambie, Mr Morse suggesting that he and Miss Croft should meet tho director at Wairoa and discuss the whole matter. It -was pleasing to know that Wairoa had the goodwill of both Mr Morse and their ex-matron. The chairman said there was no need to hurry, but they should keep the matter in mind, and discuss it with Mr Morse if ho came u’p on Monday. The action of Mr Harker in attending to this subject was endorsed and thanks voted to him for the trouble he had taken. Mr F. G. Shaw, Nuhaka, made a report on a car at no cost to the board, and the Health Department wrote approving of the purchase of a new one. The action was confirmed, and Mr Shaw is to be thanked.

The Wairoa Unemployed Workers’ Association wrote asking for a conference to promote a medical scheme for wives and families of unemployed. Mr Brady reported that he met the workers’ deputation on August 4, and their scheme was to pay 3d per week per man, 200 or more, and if they formed an association the money would be paid in to the hospital funds as a set-off against any charge for treatment of the wife or members of a family’. This, he said, compared very favorably with the arrangements made with the friendly societies, and did not in any way conflict therewith. If the board agreed a meeting would be called to put the scheme in motion, and he was sure it would be all right. Mr Scott strongly favored the scheme, and applauded' the efforts of the men to (help themselves and at the same time maintain their own self-respect. The funds would go to the hospital to pay ihe individual accounts as they arose through sickness, and the scheme should be accepted. Mr Harker was also sympathetic and said it was nice to see how the men were trying to help themselves. Me moved to the effect that the board was agreeable to the formation of an association on the lilies set out; this was seconded by Mr Brady, and carried. The Unemployment Board wrote stating it could not accede to a 44-hour week for work under No. 10 scheme. The letter was received.

The Borough Council asked the board to reaffirm the amalgamation principle and appoint two delegates to a future meeting. This was carried unanimously and the chairman and Mr. Tapper were appointed delegates, the chairman having tlye right to appoint a substitute, if unable to be present on Friday, August 18. Mr. Taylor said there should he a representative of the Maori race present, and it was decided to ask the Kahungunu Association to appoint one. The council also notified that the reopening of Victoria street would be held over till the spring. The Waikato Hospital Board forwarded a statement regarding native treatment fees, a most illuminating and comprehensive document, all going to illustrate the great difficulty in collecting tile native fees, and showing that in counties where the native population was largo tho boards should receive special consideration. The document also covered evidence given before the Native Hinds Rating Commission. It was decided to thank the Waikato board and supply the figures of the scheme with the Kahungunu Association, and those supplied to the, Rating Commission. The balance-sheet was adopted, and the chairman and secretary were congratulated on the result. The finance committee recommended the payment of accounts totalling £750 Is 6d. The medical superintendent, Dr. Hallwright, reported as follows for July : Number of patients remaining in on June 30, 25; admitted during July, 40; total treated, 65; number discharged, 44; number died, 1; number re. maining in at the end of the month, 20; total days’ stay, 761; average occupied beds, 24.5. There were 22 operations during the month. Four patients had been in hospital over eight weeks. The matron, • Miss Harvey, reported that the health of the staff had been good. Nurse Williams had commenced her annual leave. Nurse Storie had started duty as a hospital aid, filling the position vacated by Miss Luttrell in May. She thanked tho loiiowmg donors of gifts : —Flowers, Mesdames McCorkindale, McDonald, Probble, Miss Butterfield, Sister May and Miss Bennett; apples, Mr. Bouthron; cakes, Mes. dames McDonald and Prebble; eggs and cream, Mr. Bluck; kumeras, Mr. Smith, Whakaki; turkeys, Mr. Spence, Ruakituri; magazines, Mrs. Ross and Mr. Chicken. Tho band, on July 15, gave a very fine programme of music, which was much enjoyed by both patients and staff. The customary vote of thanks .to tho donors and instrumentalists was passed by the board. The chairman intimated that Nurses Gallagher and Collinge had passed with honors, and ho had instructed the secretary to send a letter of congratulation to them. This action was endorsed.

Mr. Scott reported on the renovations at the hospital, suggesting new floor cover. This was authorised, and a progress payment of £l4O was passed, subject to the supervisor’s, cetrificate.