WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

Southland Times, Issue 19720, 28 November 1925, Page 10

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The committee of the Waipiata Sanatorium met at Dunedin on Tuesday evening, Novamber 24, there being present Mr J. Matheson (chairman), the Rev. T. W. Potts and Messrs F. W. Watt, A. Fraser, Hon. R. Scott, Hon. A. S. Malcolm, J. Ritchie and J. Horrell. In the absence of Dr Macready (Medical Officer of Health), Inspector Cameron represented the department. Correspondence, as follows, was considered and dealt with:— Mrs C. Reid, Tinwald, and the Ashburton Hospital Board, thanked the committee for letters of sympathy in connection with the deaths of the late Mr Charles Reid and Mr W. Magson, who had been members of the Ashburton Board.—Received. The Southland, Ashburton and South Otago Boards wrote expressing approval of the committee’s action in asking each of the Associated Boards to keep in close touch with all patients discharged from the sanatorium with a view of collecting useful data so far as the permanent result of the treatment is concerned. The District Traffic Manager, Dunedin, wrote agreeing, under the special circumstances mentioned by the committee, to reduce the charge for the storage of electrical machinery in the Waipiata railway ’goodsshed.—Received and amended account to be paid. REPORT OF MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT. Dr Kidd reported that on November 1 there were 27 males and 27 females in the institution, a total of 54, of which number all, with the exception of seven whose condition so far was unchanged, were doing well or improving. He submitted his weather report for October (already published) and reported on his visits to the different centres as follows:—lnvercargill, October 21—Examined 10 patients, 6 being suitable. Oamaru, November 3—Examined 3 patients, 2 being suitable. Timaru, November 4 Examined 5 patients, 2 being suitable. Balclutha, November 10—Examined 4 patients, 2 being suitable. He reported on the necessity of better laundry conveniences and the need for further buildings to accommodate the staff if the present patients’ extensions are gone on with. His requisition for sundry requirements was granted and the matron authorised to spend the usual amount of Christmas extra for patients and staff. Bed List.—The secretary submitted his usual bed list up t 6 date for meeting showing that the following boards had patients in the institution: —South Canterbury 18, Southland 18, Ashburton 8, Waitaki 8, South Otago 5, Wallace 1, and one sanatorium patient, a total of 59, leaving one vacant bed for a male patient, and that 44 suitable patients were at present on the waiting list.—The report was adopted, the filling of the vacant bed being left in the hands of the Medical Superintendent and secretary to arrange. Hydro-electric Scheme.—H. J. Quarterman, Foreman of Works, reported that poles had been erected for carrying the wire from the powerhouse to the buildings, and it w r as hoped to have the oil engine plant running this week. At present he was connecting the water-race from end of siphon into the storage dam and sluicing out same and was ready to make a start with the concrete work in connection with the outlet of the latter.—The report was adopted, secretary to ask Mr Aldridge, the committee’s engineer, for a report as to the position of the whole scheme. EXTENSIONS TO PATIENTS’ PAVILIONS. The chairman, Messrs Ritchie and Scott, as the sub-committee that had waited on the Director-General of Health recently at Waipiata urging the departmental consent to the erection of more accommodation for patients, reported on the result of their conference, and the secretary’s letter to tha department asking for consent to the acceptance of Mr McLellan’s tender for this work was approved, and as soon as it comes to hand the architect to be instructed to at once fix up the contract with Mr McLellan. The Medical Superintendent reported that with the extra bed accommodation proposed to be provided for waiting patients, the committee w’ould have to take into account the extension of the staff quarters to provide for the increase that will be necessary when the larger number of patients are under treatment in the Institution. Considerable discussion took place in connection with this matter, and it was noted that the number of suitable early cases seeking treatment in the institution is greatly in excess of what was anticipated when the sanatorium was first projected, more especially since the Medical Superintendent has been visiting the different centres to examine early any suspected cases. In view of this aspect of the position, the committee decided on the motion of Messrs Watt and Scott “That provision be made in next year’s estimates for (1) additions to the nurses’ -homes, (2) increased accommodation for domestics’ diningrooms and sleeping quarters, (3) extensions to diet pavilion and patients’ diningroom, and (4) additions to laundry, and that in the meantime an estimate of the provable cost of those necessary additions be obtained Tor submission to the associated boards. The department also to be asked to submit plans and specifications for three additional wooden 3-bed shelters for patients.”— Carried. FARMING OPERATIONS. In view of the termination of the present lease of the sanatorium farm in February, 1926, it was decided that the committee should take over the running of the farm itself with a view of supplying milk, beef, mutton, poultry, eggs, vegetables, etc., for the institution and with that in view the appointment of a suitable farm manager with knowledge of irrigation was left in the hands of Hon. R. Scott and Mr Ritchie to prepare conditions and invite applications from persons capable to fill the position. Mr Ritchie reported having purchased a Ford truck for the institution which had been delivered, and one of the staff with knowledge of motor business appointed driver. In view of this the committee will in future do its own cartage from the railway station to the sanatorium and the secretary was directed to obtain prices for the delivery of coal at Waipiata for the ensuing twelve months and submit same to next meeting. FINANCE. The Treasurer reported that at date there was a credit balance on hand of £4OlO 13/11. He also submitted a comparative statement showing how the committee’s estimated capital and maintenance receipts and payments compared with the amounts estimated at the beginning of the year, and the report was received and adopted. Accounts and salaries totalling £1479 p/10 were passed for payment. The matter of the date and place of next meeting was left in the hands of the chairman and secretary with power to act.