NEW PLYMOUTH HOSPITAL

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1924, Page 10

NEW PLYMOUTH HOSPITAL

MEETING OF THS BOARD,

WORK OF PAST MONTH. PROPOSED NEW The Taranaki Hospital Board yesterday. Present: Messrs. M. Fraser (•(hairman), F. J. Hill, E. Gilmour, S. Vickers, T. H. Sinclair, A. Corkill, and J Sutherland. An apology for absence was received from Mr. H. B. Lepper. to -an inquiry from the board as to its views on the provision of office accommodation, the Health Department advised that it was of opinion that as a general principle the office of a hospital board should be situated at its main hospital, and it was suggested, therefore, that the board consider whether it could make similar arrangements in regard to its office. Such an arrangement enabled the secretary to exercise hie functions as managing secretary more efficiently and conveniently. It also enabled every patient upon admission and discharge to be interviewed, and as far as the department could see the only convenience of having an office in town was that it was more convenient .for patients to call and pay their accounts.

However-, with a business understanding with every patient upon discharge as to payment of the hospital account, the department could not see that the ‘moving of the office out of the centre of the town affected this matter to any material extent. Apart from the question of where the office was to be erected, the letter added, the department considered that it would be quite proper for the board to consider the erection of suitable offices for itself, but the department urged that the board give very serious consideration to the suggestion that the office be erected at the hospital. Mr. Fraser said the board was divided on the questas to whether they should build offices. His own opinion was that they should spend all their money on making the hospital more efficient.

It was suggested that a saving could be effected if the board built offices on its land in Morley Street opposite the main entrance to the Western Park sports ground. Ultimately it was decided to refer the question to the house and finance eommittee for a report. TREATMENT OF SIOK. During October 119 patients were admitted. 117 discharged, and eight patients had died, the medical superintendent (Dr. E. A. Walker) reported. The number of, patients remaining in 'the hospital on October 30 was 111. The highest number of patients for one day was 12*2, and the daily average number- 110.25. A total of 66 operations vere performed. With a high daily a* erage October was another busy me nth all round, Dr. Walker added. Fifteen cases of diphtheria and one of scarlet fever were admitted during the month and there were seven cases of measles.

At the Opunake Cottage Hospital 10 patients were admitted during October, bl discharged, and two transferred, the number remaining in the hospital being two, the medical officer (Dr. J. S. Church) reported. Four confinement cases had been attended at the hospital. Dr. Church added that while there had been almost as many patients in the hospital as during September there had not been the same rush, although there had been too much work for one nurse. He would like to point out that there were six confinements booked for November, and in view of this he would like to hear the result of the committee meeting held to,discuss the appointment of an extra nurse. 'Sister Macdonald, sister in charge of the hospital, in her report, said that fees amounting to £7'6 Is 6d had bfcen collected and handed to the local secretary. i

OTHER DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. The matron of the Rangiatea Home (Mrs. A. Bayly) reported that 24 men and sewen women were in the institution. two having departed during the month and one being admitted. Thanks were due to the Salvation Army for a concert, Mrs. Hurlestone for flowers, and Mrs. Whitcombe for magazines. Everything in connection with the home was satisfactory. The engineer (Mr. C. E. Dunn) reported having commenced the steam heating of t’»e drying room in the nurses’ home. The isolation ward drainage was being altered to suit the ■berough by-laws. The general manager (Mr. E. Holden) reported that on the recommendation of the house and finance committee, instructions had been given to heat the X ray buildings by steam instead of by hot water, the contractor to allow the beard the difference in costs. The committee also recommendeel Chat the Health Department to declare the Opunake Maternity Hospital a maternity training hospital. After an interview with Dr. Walker, it had been decided to sell -the annexes, and t-o ta-ke no action with regard to those patients in hos•pita’ who had been there for a considerable time.