WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

Southland Times, Issue 19389, 1 November 1924, Page 19 (Supplement)

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The Waipiata Sanatorium Committee met in Dunedin on Tuesday evening, there being present:—J. Matheson (Chairman), Rev. T. W. Potts, Chas. Reid, A. Fraser, J. Ritchie, S. Fowle and Dr. Crawshaw (Medical Officer of Health). Leave of absence was granted to Hon. R. Scott and Hon. A. S. Malcolm. REPORTS. Dr. Kidd, Medical Superintendent, reported that there were 15 patients in the shelters and there were two vacancies 'for female patients. He had, under directions from the Committee, visited Oamaru, Timaru and Invercargill and examined at these centres a number of patients desirous of admission to the Institution. At Timaru there were eight cases, and at Invercargill there were five, which he recommended for admission when beds were available. Other cases that he had seen he suggested be kept under observation until next month. The report was received, the two vacant beds to be allotted to the South Canterbury Board. Requisition for drugs, etc., was granted, and the question of furnishing of the patients’ dining room and diet pavilion left in the hands of the Chairman, Secretary and Matron with power to act, as was also the question of the engagement of the extra staff that will be required when the new female pavilion is opened. In connection with Dr. Kidd’s visits to these different districts, it was decided that in view of a request made that he should see patients in their own homes, those recommended for admission to the Sanatorium will only be seen by Dr. Kidd at some appointed centre in each district, and each patient must bring a note from a medical man as to suitability for sanatorium treatment. In view of the increased number of beds that will be available, the secretary submitted an apportionment of beds amongst the eight Contributory Boards based on the capital value of each district, which was adopted and approved, copy to be sent to the Medical Superintendent and each of the Associated Boards. The Director-General of Health wrote, regarding the admission of an ex-member of the Waipiata Sanatorium staff to the North Canterbury Board’s Institution at Cashmere Hills, and the secretary was directed to forward a copy of the Medical Superintendent’s report on this case to the Department. The secretary reported having placed indent orders for badged cutlery and crockery for the Institution totalling £2ll 11/-, also that the sub-Conimittee appointed had accepted the tender of the Dunedin Engineering Co., Ltd., for the supply of steel rivetted pipes for the water service of the Committee’s electric power schemes.—t Adopted. CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS. The Direc tor-General of Health forwarded the Minister’s approval to the erection of the male patients’ pavilion at an estimated cost of £9254, and alterations to the Administrative Block at a cost of £445, and in connection with the erection of these buildings, the Director-General advised that the Government grant of £5OOO towards the extra capital expenditure would be paid over immediately the Supplementary Estimates are passed by the Government. The architect reported fully on the progress of all the buildings. The female patients’ dormitory pavilion would be finished in a few days, and the new Nurses Home had been completed. The diet pavilion and patients’ dining room block would be finished towards the end of November. The foundations for the No. 2 male pavilion were nearly all in and the rough materials for this building were all on the ground. There was still some work to do on the Medical Superintendent’s residence. The contractor for the excavation for tennis court would complete his work this week, and the asphalter had all his material mixed. Certain matters in connection with the laying off of paths and roadways, lighting of same, and electric bell installations were held over until the Committee inspects these works on the ground at its next meeting. GENERAL BUSINESS. In connection with the fire insurance on the buildings taken over from the contractor, the secretary was directed to insure the buildings in the State Office. The treasurer reported that at date there was a credit balance of £4426 0/10, and he was instructed to notify the Associated Boards that the second instalment of their levies for capital and maintenance expenditure was payable in November. Maintenance and capital accounts totalling £3378 2/1 were passed for payment. It was decided that no meeting be held in November, and that the next meeting of Committee be held at Waipiata on December 3, the Chairman and secretary to pay all salaries, wages and urgent payments in the meantime.