WAIAPU HOSPITAL BOARD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19129, 25 September 1936, Page 14

WAIAPU HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING DR. GRANT WELCOMED GAS SUPPLY TROUBLE Mr. A. ,). 11, Kirkham, chairman of the Waiapu Hospital Board, presided at the meeting of the board held in Te -y'uia on Monday. There were also present Messrs. A. W. Kirk, A. B. Williams, 11. Williams, W. F. Metcalfe, C. R. E Wood, W. H. 0. Johnston, M. llyland and V. G. H. Rickard. The secretary, Mr. J. Todd, and the medical superintendent, Dr. E. G. (Irani, were also n. attendance.

The chairman extended a welcome tithe recently-appointed superintendent ol the hospital, Dr. E. C. Grant, and assured him of the board s co-operation He trusted that the relationship between Dr. Grant and the board would l>o v the y.a’ppiest and hoped that they would work together for the benefit of the patients. Mr. Kirkham reported ou tlie gas supply at the hospital, stating that there had jcen further difficulty. The buildings committee had arranged for a visit oi engineers of the-Public Works Department, hut their report was not yet available. The. hoard resolved to engage the services of a. gas engineer to make full investigations and report on the whoit installation. The hoard was advised by the DirectorGeneral of Health, Dr, 11. 11. Watt, that a ear for the district nurse at Te Araroa was to be provided not later than November. —It was resolved to extend the 'thanks of the board to the directortrenerrtl for his help in the matter. Mr. A. G. Hulfcquist, M.P., wrote in reply to a letter regarding medicalsupplies required after the closing hours of stores. His reply stated that he had taken the matter up with the Minister of Labour. The medical officer of health, Gisborne, wrote notifying the transfer of Nurse Mangakahia, district nurse at Te Araroa, to Hamilton. Her place was to he taken by Miss D. Gatenby, who will arrive in Te Araroa on October 5Mis s Gatenby prior to that date would relieve the Tikitiki district nurse while she was on annual leave. .

The Hospital Boards’ Association forwarded a copy of the minutes of the executive committee meeting held in August in-Wellington. The secretary read out several proposals which would affect the Waiapu board. These proposals included sustenance of prisoners dependents-, combined insurance, British Empire Cancer Campaign Society, liability of .negligence, standardisation of hospital supplies, uniformity in salaries and wages, subsidies on voluntary contributions, election of chairman, and addressing patients. The Cook,. Wairoa and Hawke s Bay Hospital Boards wrote supplying' details of agreements entered into with. tlie Public Works employees’ associations. The Waiapu board resolved' to enter into similar agreements with the association. the details to he arranged by the secretary. MONTHLY REPORTS The medrcaY superintendent of Te Puia Hospital reported ,that during the month 52 patients had been admitted tpid 49 discharged. There had been two deaths, and 24 patients remained in the hospital. Operations performed totalled 21. At the Tokomaru Bay maternity home, Sister A. Johnston reported, there were six admissions, six patients discharged, and at the end of tne month six remained iu the home. The Tikitiki district nurse. Nurse I. Banks, reported that during August slugave six treatments to four European patients and 37 treatments to 34 Maori patients. Ante-natal and post-natal advice had been given and 13 Maori children had been seen. Nine pas had been visited and six native schools (five with the doctor) also had been visited. She reported tWo new eases of tuberculosis ;ind two old ones. Fees collected -totalled 13s.

Nurse Mangakahia, TV- Araroa, report ed one European treated and 52 individual Maoris treated and 57 Maori treatments. Ante-natal and post-natal advice had been given, and seven Maori infants had received 14 attendances. Two maternity cases had been attended. She reported two old cases of tuberculosis.

The matron of Te Puia Hospital, Miss Cornish, reported that during August Sister E. Dixon left and Sister 0. Lowe was relieving, pending the arrival of a sister in October, who had been appointed for night duty. Miss D. Nicholls, Otoko, was appointed probationer nurse, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss D. Larsen. Miss Cornish asked for renovating to be done to the nurses’ cottage and acknowledged receipt of three bundles of illustrated papers and some novels, for the use of the patients, given anonymously. TENDERS FOR SUPPLIES

Tenders were dealt with for supplies for Te lTiia Hospital and the successful tenderers were: Groceries, Messrs. Oates Bros., Tokomaru Bay; bread, Mr. N. C. East, Tokomaru Bay; meat. Mr. L. Sampey, Tokomaru Bay. The secretary produced specifications for painting and papering the doctor’s residence at Te Puia. Tenders are to be called immediately for papering at the nurse’s cottage at Tikitiki. Mr. Metcalfe raised the question of providing hells in the wards at the hospital for use by patients when calling a nurse. This was held over until next meeting. Mr. Metcalfe mentioned the need for better inspection of the sanitary arrangements and wafer supply in promises at Te Araroa. It was resolved that a letter should be sent to the sanitary inspector arid to arrange a visit by him. Tn rrplv to a question. Dr. Grant said he intended to continue monthly trips to Te Araroa and would fix a regular date for these visits.

The hoard extended thanks to Mr. A. B. Williams for supervising the extensive improvements to the hospital grounds. A considerable part of these improvements had been carried out at his own expense. The building of a root store at the hospital is to be dealt with by the buildings committee, and tenders are to lie called at the earliest possible date. Considerable business was held over until next meeting owing to the large order sheet. It was decided to commence future meetings at 10 a.m.