HOSPITAL BOARD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 196, 23 September 1914, Page 8

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. At the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board's meeting this morning there were present: Messrs F. Horrell (chairman), T. D. Boag, H. B. Sorensen, G. Scott, W. W. Tanner, JT. D. Hall, D. McMillan, W. P. Spencer, J. Ashley, J. Davison, S. Andrew, and W. McMillan and Mrs Christie. HOSPITAL REPORTS,

The Hospital Committee reported that Doctors McDiarmid and Wallace, from the University of Otago, had accepted positions as junior house surgeons, in place of Doctors Hercus and Trotter, who are accompanying the Expeditionary Force. The sub-committee had the preparation of plans for the chronic wards under consideration.

Dr F. L. Scott, medical superintendent of the hospital, reported that on August 31 there were 221 patients in the institution, with 215 available bods, and 24 were awaiting admission. The outpatients' cases numbered 212. During the month 175 operations had been performed under anaesthetics. The number of treatments in the venereal diseases, department for August numbered 77, and the new patients were seven. In the dental department 235 operations were performed, and 70 fresh patients were examined. Miss M. Thurston, lady superintend/ent of the hospital, reported that during the month everything.had been satisfactory, with the exception of several cases of influenza amongst the staff, which made the staff short-handed.dur-ing a very busy time in the wards.

Dr J. F. Dunean, medical officer of the Bottle Lake Hospital, reported that there were now 27 patients' in that institution, "but there were no serious cases. The new wards were, now pied, and were being*furhished. - Dr G. J. Blackmore, Medical Director of Tuberculosis Institutions, reported that there were 55 patients in the' Sana torium on August 31, and 38: in i-,h/ Coronation HospitaL During the mont) there were 260 attendances at thft tuberculosis dispensary, and 35 persons called for information. The nitrse paid 80 visits to patients in their own homea. The reports were adopted. : ' PUBLIC HEALTH gOMMITTEE.

The Public Health* Committee stated that the health'inspectors reported enquiries during August into 22 cases of scarlet fever, 14 of diphtheria, 2 of enteric fever, 24 of tuberculosis, 17 of chicken-pox, 3 of erysipelas; 307 other inspections or enquiries were made. The committee also reported that Sister Urquhart, who is sister in'charge at the Coronation Hospital, would takeover the duties "of Sister Rochfort in connection with the tuberculosis dispensary. Applications had been invited for the position of sister for the Coronation; Hospital. FINANCIAL MATTERS.

The Finance Committee reported that after providing for all cheques drawn to date there would be a debit balance .- of £3296 18/7. The subsidy payable was £1739 18/6. Owing to the delay by some of the local authorities in paying any portion of the contribution due, the committee asked authority to take action against them for recovery of the full amount unless the proportion due to September 1 was paid before the next meeting.t)f the committee. ~,,W.;

Applications had been received from the WaiTewa County Council and the Cheviot Medical Fund Committee for a contribution towards the' Doctor's Guarantee Funds at. Little. River and Cheviot respectively. The committee recommended that a grant of £3O be made for the current year to the Wairewa County Council Fund, and the same amount for the Cheviot Medical Fund, if the application were supported by the Cheviot County Council. The committee" considered a letter from the Palmerston Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, forwarded through the Inspector-General, suggesting an amendment to Section 72 of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act so as to avoid charges for hospital patients between various boards. The committee did not recommend any amendment to the Act, as sucji could only be agreed to with some definite reservations with regard to sanatorium patients or institutions established for special objects. The Palmerston Hospital and Charitable Aid Board proposed that a reciprocal agreement be entered into with this board, similar to that already existing between this board' and the Otago, Southland, and Wellington boards. The committee recommended the board to approve this, and asked the board to consider similar agreements with any other board willing to join in such agreement. An application had been received from the board's contractor for groceries, etc., asking for consideration with regard to prices on account of the extra cost of many articles owing to the war. The committee had no recommendation to make. A contract had been entered into with Mr G. L. Bull for the erection of the orphanage for the sum of £IOOO. ff"his amount was £IOO below the estimate.

Bearing in mind the recommendation of the board with regard to the investment of trust funds, the committee endeavoured to find satisfactory local investment for £6OO. k . Many enquiries were made and advertisements inserted, in the newspapers, but no application was received for the amount. Conseqently the committee had purchased Wanganui borough debentures at 5 per cent. .

The annual accounts have been audited and certified as correct. Instructions had been given to have them printed and circulated amongst members and local bodies. The report was adopted.