NEW PLYMOUTH HOSPITAL

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1925, Page 5

NEW PLYMOUTH HOSPITAL

JUNE A BUSY MONTH, LARGE NUMBER OF PATIENTS. MEETING OF THE BOARD. The Taranaki Hospital Board met at Now Plymouth yesterday, Present: —■ Messrs. M. Eraser (chairman), 8. Vickers, E. Gilmour, j. S. S. Medley, H, Lepper, D. G. Morgan, A. H. Halcombs, J. Young, A. Corkill and the Rev. R. B. Gosnell. The number of patients admitted to the hospital during June was 108, 102 were discharged, 9 had died and 110 remained in the institution, reported the medical superintendent (Dr. E. A. Walker). The highest number for one day was 129, and the daily average was ; 123.7. There were 76 operations. With i the high daily average of 123.7, the inI stitution was very busy during the , month. Five cases of diphtheria were i admitted. The operating theatre lighting : for night operations had always been i unsatisfactory on account of the ehadl ows. The superintendent requested the beard to consider the installation of a “no shadow light” system. It Was also advised that provision should ba made for a refrigerating chamber. This would prove invaluable during the winter months. The matter of installing a refrigerating apparatus at the hospital was left in the hands of the house committee tor tbe purpose of thoroughly investigating the question. The matter of providing a “no shadow light" system in the operating theatre was left in the hands of the house committee. The matron of the Ranglatea Home (Mrs. A. Bayly) reported that during the past month everything had been progressing very favourably in the institution. Supplies were good and discipline excellent. The inmates included 28 males and four females, making a total of 32. Thanks were due to Miss Bedford for confectionery and Mrs. A. M. Thomson and Miss Whiteombe for the donation of magazines. NURSING STAFF. The following nurses went off duty during the month, reported the matron of the hospital (Miss B. A. Campbell): Holiday leave, Nurses Gibson, Harrison and Wood; sick leave, Sister Dew, Nurses Tribe, Stephenson and Humphreys. The following nurses had. returned to duty: Nurses Gibson, Tribe, Aitken and Stephenson. Sister Leslie finished duties on June 23. Sister Coikill was relieving while Sister Dew was on sick leave. Nurse A. M. Thompson definitely decided to leave the hospital, as she did not feel strong enough to continue her duties. Misses Gordon, Glassford, A. Lewis and H. McKinstry had commenced duties on probation. Nurse Tribe, having completed her three months* period of probation, was now on the permanent staff. THE DISTRICT HOSPITALS. The Unit! district nurse (Nurse L. E. Cook) reported that for the past month six patients had-received treatment, three surgical, one medical and two maternity cases. The following cases were treated in the Opunake hospital during June, reported the matron (Sister McDonald): In hospital, June 1,2; admitted during June, 8; discharged, 8; transferred, 0; remaining, 2; fees collected, £23 3s. Sister Boswick commenced duty as pupil nurse on June 1, and her help was much appreciated. IMPROVEMENTS TO HOSPITAL. In presenting his report for the past month, the general manager (Mr. E. Holden) stated that the bacteriologist commenced his duties on June 18. On a visit being made by the borough engineer certain improvements to tho entrance to the hospital were decided upon. The parking of cars at the hospital was a matter which needed urgent consideration. Messrs. Boon Bros.’ tender for the carrying out of additions to the laundry was accepted. The Post and Telegraph Department had commenced the installation of the internal telephone system. It waa decided to ask the Borough Council to declare the north side of Barrett Street, between Morley and West Streets, a parking plaoe for motorcars. The bacteriologist’s quarters were practically finished, reported the engineer (Mr. U. E. Dunn). A supplementary cold water supply drawn from the Barrett Street main was almost completed. Painting and renovating of the sisters’ room was completed. -The men’s quarters and Isolation nurses’ room were almost finished. The heating system for the domestic hot water was now working continually, and was giving every satisfaction. The steam heating for the .X«ray building was also perfectly satisfactory, and most economical. A vote ot thanks was accorded to Mr. Dunn for the success Jia had attained on the installation of the heating system. GENERAL. The applications of Misses M. Vaughan and N. G. Welch to have their names placed on the waiting list of probationers at the hospital were approved. Certain matters In connection with the- recently-established cottage hospital at Mokau were left in the hands of Mr. Halcombe and the Rev. Gosnell. The question of raising funds to enable a new motor ambulance to be purchased was considered, and It was decided to make application for permission to hold a street collection on the first Friday after February 20, 1926. The balance-sheet, as passed by tho Audit Department, was adopted.