HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1915, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD.

THE MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs F. C. J. Bellringer (chairman). A. E. Svkes, E. Maxwel], M. J. Mac-Reynolds, D. MeAllum, J. R. llill, J. Brown. A. IT. Halcombe, G. V. Tate, D. McDonald and Mrs. Dockrill. PUBLIC HEALTH. The inspector (Mr. A. H. Kendall) reported that during the month three cases of diphtheria were notified at Waitara, one in New Plymouth and one in the Clifton county. One case of typhoid in the Kgraont county and one case of tuberculosis in New Plymouth and one in the Taranaki county were also reported. He had disinfected four premises in Waitara, three in New Plymouth, and one in the Egmont county, and visited all cases of infectious disease notified. In one ease lie personally supervised the thorough destruction by fire of the bed and. bedding which had been used by a patient lie visited In glewood and Waitara on several occasions, and also Oaonui, Motunui and other places, and made inspection of bakehouses, dairies, restaurants, lodging houses and butchers' premises, and had a'lso taken official samples and particulars of vinegars and other foods sold in the district, and forwarded reports 011 these a/id also 011 all cases of infectious disease, certain drainage and other matters, to tlw district health officer. . WORK iff THE HOSPITAL. The medical snperintendent of the hospital (Dr. E. A. Walker) reported that during the montlr of October 02 patients were admitted, 57 were discharged, three had died, and 5G remained in the institution. The highest number of patients ill the hospital for one day was 63. Forty-four operations were carried out during tire month. OLD PEOPLE'S HOME. The matron of the Old People's Home (Mrs. A. Bayly) reported that during the past month everything had been progressing very satisfactorily, llie supplies had been good and the discipline excellent. There had been two admissions to the home, two departures and one death, leaving remaining' in the Home 28 males and four females. APPOINTMENT OF PROBATIONERS. In accordance with notice of motion, Mr. Mac-Reynolds moved—"That each member of the Board be supplied with a copy of the probationers' roll, and at each and every meeting the names of those who had been called up for training be reported." Mr. McAllum seconded the motion pro forma. <D>\ Walker attended the meeting to explain the position and the discussion was taken in committee. An amendment, that the matter should be held over until after the war, was moved by Mr. Maxwell and seconded by Mr. McDonald. After a full discussion the amendment was carried. VISITING HOURS AT HOSPITALS. An .application was recently made by the father of a returned trooper, who was in the hospital, to visit his son at a time not embraced in the regular hours {w visitors, The matter was referred

to the medical superintendent, \v!io wrote;—"l have to state that I cannot recommend any alterations of the rules regulating visitors to the hospital. These rules have been framed to allow patients' friends reasonable facility for seeing them and to permit the efficient carrying out of the duties of the hospital staff. To add to the visiting hours would embarrass your staff in the carrying out of increasingly heavy duties, so that I am unable to advise a concession in favor of returned troopers' relatives. I should add that when a patient's condition is serious, the friends are granted special permission to visit at all times, and that, under special reasonable circumstances, application to me for special permit always receives favorable consideration." The letter was received. GENERAL. The application of Hiss If. Coikill to be added to the list of probationers was received. An increase in salary was granted to Sister Wallace. Nurse Waite was appointed permanent night sister. The secretary of the Xew Plymouth Club wrote stating that all returned soldiers, wounded or otherwise, would be admitted as honorary members of the club, and -asking that the invitation should be extended to any returned soldiers at the hospital.—The offer was accented with thanks. Colonel Valintiue (Director of .Military Hospitals) wrote stating that through the generosity of Mr. Le Roy 300 patent verandah chairs had been placed at the disposal of the Department for the use of sick and wounded soldiers in the various institutions accommodating them. He was giving instructions that twenty chairs should be forwarded to the Xew Plymouth Hospital for the benefit of returned soldiers.