WAIROA HOSPITAL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18500, 12 September 1934, Page 14

WAIROA HOSPITAL

MEETING OF BOARD

MANY MATTERS DISCUSSED

(Herald Correspondent.)

The monthly meeting ot' the Wairoa Hospital Board was held on Tuesday afternoon. lTesent: Messrs. I*. J. Brewster, chairman, J. U. Scott, J. M. Taylor, A. T. Carroll, W. IT Brady, It. Tapper, juu., and the Veil. Archdeacon Butterfield. Leave of absence was granted to Mr. 11. T. Barker. Arising out of the minutes, the chairman reported that the dentist would be visiting Kopuawhara camp next week. It was d.ecided to call for applications for an assistant gardener, and that the district nurse to be appointed for Nuhaka should be provided with lodgings for the present.

Correspondence was read from the Department of Health stating that the sale of insulin by the board should only cover the cost price. The llev. D. C. Alley wrote stating, in regard to the hoard’s letter referring to the prohibition of religious services at the hospital, that he was not aware of the board’s former prohibition or lie would have asked permission, llis was only a general service, of a lion-sectarian character, and was . approved by both patients and staff, and was no .more than was carried out at hospitals'all over the Dominion. The board decided to adhere to its former resolution, but it was understood this did not debar concerts, or visits of the clergy to their own people. The finance committee recommended that the following tenders be accepted : Groceries, Dnlgety and Company; meat, Wairoa Supply Company; bread, Osiers, Limited, and Mr. Sheehan, alternate months; milk, Mr. A. E ; . Hunn; fish, Messrs., Zakris and Zafcris. Accounts to be passed totalled £762. The report was adopted, the board deciding that in the case of charitable aid burials the lowest tender in each case be dealt with by the secretary and the finance committee and given three months each.

The medical superintendent, Dr. Hallwright, reported as follows: Number of patients remaining in hospital on July 31, 24; number of patients admitted during August, 57; total treated, 81; number of patients discharged during August, 55; number of patients died during August, 2; number of patients remaining in hospital on August 31, 26; total days’ stay, 841; average occupied beds, 27.1. There were 24 operations during the month. One patient had been in hospital over eight weeks. Six patients- were re-admitted within one month of discharge. The report was adopted. The matron, in her report, stated: ‘‘Several of the staff have had heavy colds. It was necessary for Sister Burrell to remain off duty for a month as the result of the injury 'to her leg, which she received last month when she slipped from some steps. Sister Burrell is at present on annual leave, which she eominepced on August 26. I found it impossible to carry on with the depleted staff, so for a little over three weeks had Nurse McCallum, a trained nurse, to relieve; she finished on' August 31. Nurse Williams, an aid, is at present on annual leave. The isolation block is again open, three patients being admitted during the month. I wish to thank the following donors of gifts ,Books, Mrs. IT. T). Griffon, Gisborne, Mrs. P. G. Watson, Gisborne, Mrs. Coker, Mr. McGlashan and Mr. Drewitt; Howci-s, Mrs. McDonald, Mrs. Powell, Mrs. Prebble, Mrs Edwards, Archdeacon Butterfield, Mrs. A* D. Hall and Mr. Simmonds; cakes, Mrs. White; magazines and comic papers, Mrs. Perry. I wish to specially thank Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Hall for allowing the staff to go down and pick as many violets as they wished. The Band and Mr. Perry’s orchestra „and the Methodist Church concert party all gave entertainments throughout the month, which were much enjoyed by both patients and staff.’’ Tho report was adopted, and a vote of thanks passed to the donors and musicians.

The reports of Nurses Banks and Bennett, and the midwife were adopted, holiday leave being granted to- Nurse Banks. Nurse Bennett reported having had 55 cases. 135 visits and treatments resulting. It was decided that the midwife should take up some of Nurse Banks’ work during her absence, and to attend also to general cases in her own. area.

The board woht into committee to deal with the administration of anaesthetics in dental cases. Drs. Hallwright and Jardine both attended. In regard to this matter, and also that of how to deal with syphilitic cases, the secretary was, directed to -prepare a statement for the’press in conjunction with the modi cal men.

Mr. Tapper’s motion to, rescind all resolutions restricting the maternity services of the nurses anyK midwife to indigent patients only was seconded by Archdeacon Butterfield. The mover - said the motions as they stood debarred till ratepayers—the men who found the funds—from receiving the services of these nurses, even when willing to pay . The , seconder said he was willing to assist Mr. Tapper in bis efforts for the country -people who might be able to pay, but at present could not get this help, and a reasonable sealo of fees should be drawn up, so that all who were willing to pay could do so. The chairman said tho charge fixed at present was £2 IQs: Mr. Scott said there was a misunderstanding at last meeting, and now it was only a matter of providing the service. The motion was carried unanimously, as was also a further motion providing that on the -payment of a booking fee of £2 10s for the services of the midwife no more information than the names and addresses would be asked. The names of five suitable candidates for the position of nurse for Nuhaka were submitted and three selected for submission in order of preference.