HOSPITAL CONTROL

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1935, Page 3

HOSPITAL CONTROL

MEETING OF TARANAKI BOARD. OFFICERS’ REPORTS RECEIVED. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board was held yesterday. There were present Messrs. P. E. Stainton (chairman), R. J. Deare, E. R. C. Gilmour, A. J. Brennan, J. Gibbs, H. E. Blyde, C. H. Barnitt, E. B. Davies, A. Corkill, S. Vickers and J. Young. The number of patients admitted during December was 202, compared with 189 in December, 1933, reported Dr. G. F. Rich (medical superintendent). A total of 230 (197) had been discharged, 13 (9) patients had died and 135 (142) remained in hospital. The highest number in hospital on one da£ was 189 <126), and the daily average was 162.29 (146.61). The number of operations was 140 (126). No cases were admitted to isolation. Inmates of the Rangiatea home at the beginning of December totalled 33, reported the matron (Sister O. Grant). Six were admitted during the month and one was discharged, leaving 38 at the end of the month. Gifts were received from Mesdames Sanders and Tuffery, Misses Norman and Heppell, Mr. Bennett, Hygienic Bakery, Victoria League, Girls’ High School choir, Salvation Army women and choir and Y.W.C.A. members. Concerts were given by the Victoria League and Girls’ High School choir, the Salvation Army women, the Y.W.C.A. members, and the Salvation Army choir. ENGINEER COMPLETES TERM. The freezing plant in the hospital kitchen had been in communication for some weeks and was proving a great benefit, reported the general manager, Mr. E. Holden. The twin rapid press had been delivered. Mr. C. Dunn had completed his term as engineer and a very large number of applicants for the position had,been received. The state of the accounts at December 31 was: General account, £4735 15s Id debit; trust account, £3l 10s credit; imprest account, £96 5s credit. Only wages for the No. 5 scheme men had been paid from the imprest account. During the month all spent crops were cleaned off and the ground got ready for winter vegetables, reported the farm manager, Mr. R. Wright. Carrots, swedes, peas, cabbage and lettuces were planted. Owing to the dry spell the early potato crop was poor but the later sown ones were looking more promising. During the Christmas and New Year holidays it was necessary to employ extra labour. The number of examinations for the month was 234, reported the radiologist, Dr. C. D. Costello. Thq number of skiagrams was 494 and treatments given 100. The time taken for treatment was 39J hours. * Miss E. Rutledge (masseuse) reported that out-patients numbered 36, inpatients 45 and treatments 776. The bacteriologist, Mr. V. J. Hawke, reported that specimens tested numbered 582 compared with 554 in December, 1933. Of these 502 were from New Plymouth hospital, 19 from Hawera and two from Stratford. Tests for private practitioners numbered 59 (New Plymouth 53, Hawera 2 and Stratford 4). On the recommendation of the house and finance committee it was decided that in future all persons being appointed by the board to its permanent staff must be passed by the medical staff as physically and mentally fit before being allowed to take up their duties. The charge for the use of the ambulance at two-day race meetings would be £2 2s for the first day and £1 Is for the second day. it was decided. The name of Miss M. W- Freethy (New Plymouth) was added to the waiting list of probationers.