CARE OF THE SICK

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1932, Page 8

CARE OF THE SICK

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES MEET

RELATIONS, WITH HOSPITAL.

THE VISITING RESTRICTIONS.

The fourth annual meeting of the Taranaki Hospital District Friendly Societies’ Association was held at New Plymouth last night, when Mr. F. A. Coleman (Waireka Lodge A.0.F.) presided over an attendance of about 50 delegates, including for the first time, at an annual meeting a number of ladies.. Delegates present represented the following lodges: Egmont, Excelsior, Waitara (M.U.I. Clifton, Inglewood (M.A.0.D.), Star of Opunake (1.0. F. St. Joseph’s (Hibernian), Courts Inglewood, Pride of New Plymouth, Raleigh,l Waireka (A.O.F) and New Zealand Friendly Society. There were also present tfye Rev. R. B. Gosnell, deputy-chairman of the Taranaki Hospital Board, Messrs. E. Holden, general manager, and E. W. Taylor, accountant, and later Messrs. S. Vickers, chairman of the board, and R. J. Deare, a member.

The president welcomed the delegates, expressing pleasure at seeing such a representative gathering. He also welcomed the representatives of the Hospital Board and expressed the hope that their deliberations might be beneficial both to themselves and to the board.

The annual report disclosed the progress the association was making both numerically and financially, undoubtedly due to the whole-hearted support the association was receiving from all members of lodges in the district. During the year they had paid to the Taranaki Hospital Board the "hospital ward fund, which with interest earned amounted to £225 6s 3d. That together with the Goverhment subsidy. would be used by the board for the purposes of converting a portion of the old hospital into two wards for the purposes of segregating chronic invalid patients. The executive recorded appreciation of the support given the fund and assured members that the proceeds would be used to the best advantage by the board and would materially assist in attaining greater efficiency in the management of the institution. YEAR’S STATISTICS. Statistics showed' that there had been 699 admissions (members’ 291, members’ wives 161, members’ children 241), as compared with 561 the previous year (members’ 198, members’ wives 192, members’ children 221). The total hospital days was 11,613, with an average 'stay of 17 days, as against 11,448 days with an average stay of 20 days. The association’s liability was Ils 4fd per day as against Us 4d per day, and the rate paid per day was 5s as against 4s lid. The association’s gross liability was £6621 10s 6d, as against £6790 the previous year. That included £lO6O for extras, X-ray and anaesthetic, as against £7lB, the previous year. A total of £2903 9s 3d had been contributed to the Hospital Board. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet the chairman said the association was making steady progress, the membership being now 2980 out of a total of 3517 lodge members. The growth had been gradual; the membership had increased 600 in four years. The paynlents to the Hospital Board had gradually increased from 4s 6d to 5s per day. The membership of the lodges was steadily growing and the association was receiving its share of. tha increased membership. In seconding Mr. T. B. Ewens said, the growth of the association had been marked, but'there were still 600 members of lodges whom they should endeavour to secure as members of the association. Officers were elected as follow: President, Mr. F. A. Coleman; vice-president, Mr. T. B. Ewens (Waitara W.A.0.D.); management committee, Messrs. L. R. Little (M.U.1.0.F.), J. R. Penn (Inglewood A.0.F.), A. Chadwick (Waitara A.0.F.); auditor, Mr. A. J. Tunbridge. The position with regard to X-ray charges as between the association and the Hospital Board . was explained by Mr. Holden.

Discussing the restrictions recently placed on Sunday visitors to the hospital limiting the number to two, Mr. E. Holden stated that arrangements had been made for four tickets to be available to accredited representatives of each lodge for Sunday use. On other days they were not necessary.

Mr. Gosnell stated that the board had to make drastic restrictions regarding visiting owing to the practice adopted by many people of visiting the hospital on Sunday, whether- they had sick people to visit or not, just the same as other people visited the Breakwater or Pukekura Park. VISITING HOURS.

The president agreed that the issue of visiting cards had had the desired effect in curtailing visitors. It might be in the interest of the patients to cut down the visiting hours. He pointed out, though, that on some occasions the exit doors of the wards were padlocked. In the event of a panic due to earthquake or fire it would be very difficult to get some of the patients out of the building. The working arrangements as between the Hospital Board "and the association had been most harmonious. Mr. Gosnell said the lodges were having a good effect by creating an atmosphere of friendship and goodwill which would help to brighten the depression. Regarding the scheme of visiting at present in vogue,'he stated that at was a new departure and was merely being tried. The medical superintendent had asked for criticism on the question. He had heard complaints from others regarding locked doors.

Mr. Holden stated that the hospital had been overrun with visitors. The only way to regulate the number was to admit them by only one door, and the only way to do that was to lock the other doors. It was only the process of “breaking the public- in,” n-nd it was hoped the locks would not remain long in the doors. He certainly did not like the idea of purchasing 20 locks and keys.

Mr. Ewens considered that if possible the association should endeavour to have a uniform medical agreement in the hospital district. He suggested that delegates should discuss the matter with the lodges and report the result to the executive.

It was resolved to recommend the executive to take the matter in hand with a view to calling a special meeting at the earliest possible moment. Mr. R, J. Deare, a member of the Hospital Board, also expressed appreciation of the amicable spirit that existed between the association and the hospital authorities.

Mr. S. Vickers, chairman of the Hospital Board, expressed the opinion that there would be no cut in the goodwill that existed between the two bodies, and he could assure them that there would be. no cut they would receive in the treatment if it were necessary, for them to enter the hospital. He congratulated the conference on its young and enthusiastic delegates and on the presence of members of the fair sex. A unanimous vote of confidence in the executive was passed.

The delegates were subsequently entertained at supper.