HOSPITAL BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 21650, 11 March 1932, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY. The monthly meeting of the Southland Hospital Board was held yesterday, there being present - Mr 11. E. Niven (chairman), Miss Birss, Mrs Henderson, Messrs E. Bowmar, W. Clark, T. Golden, J. Cockburn, A. T. Newman, W. M. Norman, C. Robertson, G. Wraytt, J. S. A. McDougall and his Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller). Prior to the commencement of business the chairman extended a welcome to the Mayor, who has been appointed the representative of the combined boroughs of Invercargill and South Invercargill in place of the late Mr John Matheson. The relief committee reported having dealt with twelve fresh applications for assistance in terms of their individual circumstances, while casual relief totalling £3l 19/- had been granted from February 8 to March 5 to 43 applicants with 105 dependent children, 28 of the applications being the result of unemployment or insufficient earnings. The action of Mr Newman in granting temporary casual assistance to a number of single men from the north passing through the district looking for work was approved. The medical superintendent, Southland Hospital, pointed out the necessity for certain surgical and X-ray equipment for more efficient work in the Southland Hospital. Owing- to the estimated cost running into a considerable sum, he suggested that as all the equipment would be transferred to the new hospital at Kew, when opened, payment might be arranged from the Kew Hospital building account. After come consideration of the request, the committee, recognizing that in the interests of the patients this equipment was really required, instructed the secretary to communicate with the Department of Health and report.

In connection with the lighting system at Lake County Hospital, the secretary reported that he had so far received no reply from the Golden Terrace Extended Goldmining Company regarding supply of current, or from the Minister of Mines consenting to the board’s application for reinstatement of water race at the Kawarau Falls, and the matter was held over until next meeting, Messrs Bowmar and Cockburn being appointed to go into the matter of the cost of renovating the present oil driven plant which was reported to be in such bad order that the hospital had

to revert to kerosene lamps for lighting. In response to the inquiry of the Director-General of Health, the secretary was directed to advise that the board would not be providing for any capital expenditure in its estimates for the ensuing year. A communication was received from the Wellington Hospital Board outlining a proposal for a change in the present hospital system of the Dominion, the scheme being based to a large extent on that suggested by Dr Campbell Begg and being endorsed by the Wellington Board. Communications were also received on this matter from the Hawera and Palmerston North Boards protesting against the hasty adoption by Parliament of such a scheme. After a brief discussion a resolution was c'arried that the board protest against any such proposed changes in the hospital administration system being embodied into the legislation without their having been fully considered by the Hospital Boards Association. It was decided to advise Southland members of Parliament of the board’s attitude. Hospital Statistics. The medical superintendents of the various institutions under the board’s control submitted statistical reports for the month of February. At the Southland Hospital 108 patients remained on January 31, 157 were admitted during the month, 143 were discharged, 4 died and 118 remained on February 29. At Kew 3 patients remained on January 31, 1 was admitted during the month, 3 were discharged and 1 remained on February 29. At Gore 21 patients remained on February 1, 50 were admitted during the month, 45 were discharged, 2 died and 24 remained on March 1. At the Lake County Hospital 8 patients remained on February 1, 3 were admitted during the month, 5 were discharged, 1 died and 5 remained on March 1. At Lome Infirmary 57 patients remained on February 1, 14 were admitted during the month, 3 were discharged and 68 remained on March 1.