MILK FOR HOSPITAL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 79, Issue 7145, 14 December 1949, Page 7

MILK FOR HOSPITAL

QUESTION OF HANDLING VIEWS OF CORPORATION That safer handling and storage of milk was advisable at the Waikato Hospital was the opinion offered by | the Hamilton Milk Treatment CorI poration in a letter received by the I hospital board. The corporation contended that unless steps were taken to improve these matters difficulties jmight be experienced in the hotter weather. It was submitted that more rigid control was necessary in kitchens and wards. Drivers had seen cans of milk for consumption left in close proximity to stoves, it was stated. Reporting to the board, the house manager said he failed to see how r drivers d|li<4ring mjilk at 13 |a.m. were aware of how the milk was handled in the various wards and kitchens. The house manager said that originally the corporation agreed to the delivery of milk at the hospital between 6 a.m. and 6.30 a.m. However, the cans were left at 3 a.m. and remained outside until the board’s dairyman came on duty at 6 p.m. It was felt that the first act of the corporation should be to ensure that milk was delivered when the dairyman was on duty. No Complaints It was stated that no complaints had been received from wards or kitchens regarding the keeping quality of the milk. “I think an attempt should be made to get the milk there at 6 a.m.,” said Mr A. E. Bryant. The chairman, Mr H. D. Caro, said he did not think that objective could be achieved. Mrs Hilda Ross, M.P., contended that Hamilton generally was “very badly served in the milk business.” The only way in which the board could improve matters would be by having its own herd, said Mr Caro. The .sun in the early morning shone on the milk, said Miss D. E. Menzies, lady superintendent. Commenting on the reference made by the corporation to the location of cans in kitchen and wards, she said there were no .stoves in the wards. Miss Menzies said the milk was satisfactory—it had not deteriorated. Replying to a question, Dr H. L. Gouild, medical superintendent, said it would be possible for the night porter to open the dairy in order that the cans on delivery could be placed inside. The meeting decided that the corporation be advised in the terms of the house manager’s report.