CONTROL OF HOSPITAL

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1933, Page 8

CONTROL OF HOSPITAL

BOARD’S MONTHLY MEETING. REPORTS FROM THE OFFICERS. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Hospital Board was held yesterday, when those present were Messrs. W. L. Kennedy (chairman), Max Gemhoefer, L. Bunn, G. P. Harkness and J. Cormick and' Mesdames D. Shannon and M. T. Phillips. The Department of Health forwarded authority for the board to borrow £5OO by way of bank overdraft until September 30, 1933. Further information on the proposal of the board to instal a sink room in the isolation ward was sought by the Department of Health on the ground that the Minister would sanction supplementary levies only in cases of utmost importance. “This is becoming an absolute absurdity,” said Mr. Cormick. “Cannot we tell the department that its own officers recommend this work?” he asked.

“I have,” replied the secretary (Mr. T. H. Penn). Mr. Penn was instructed to forward the information desired. In a letter acknowledging advice of arrangements made for Tangarakau, the Director-General of Health (Dr. M. H. Watt) said it was recognised that Nurse B. Birss’ appointment as district nurse could be only a temporary one. The medical superintendent (Dr. D. Steven) reported that the number .of patients admitted to the hospital during the month was 48, discharged 46, died 4, remaining 39, out-patients attended 2, admissions to maternity ward 10, births 8, visits to ante-natal clinic 65, admissions to isolation 4, remaining 2, operations 16.

The matron (Mrs. J. Hunt) reported that Nurse A. Oldridge passed the State examination at New Plymouth in June. Nurse M. Raven began annual leave on August 1 and Nurse Sandford returned from leave on July 14. She had completed one year's probation. Miss B. Collidge commenced one year’s probation on August 1. During the month visits totalled 27, patients 21, transfered to hospital 3, cured 9, improving 2, medicine supplied 7 and fees received £2 19s. 7d., reported the district nurse at Whangamomona (Miss R. McCarroll).

The acting medical officer at Tangarakau (Nurse B. Birss) stated that the health of the camp had been good, though a mild form of influenza and chicken-pox was prevalent. Visits to homes were 57, dressings 77 and medicines 2. Four patients were sent to hospital.