NEW PLYMOUTH HOSPITAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13574, 4 December 1907, Page 7

NEW PLYMOUTH HOSPITAL.

THE MATRON'S SALARY. THE DISPENSING QUESTION. Dr. Leatham, the Hospital Superintendent, conferred with the Hospital Board this morning in regard to the matron's salary. He stated that Miss Brown had been at the Hospital about ten years. She had been senior for one year and acting matron for six months. Her work during this period had been so satisfactory, that the Board had appointed her matron. Miss Brown had rendered good service and long service. She was an excellent woman in every respect. Her wojk had- increased considerably, especially during the past few years.* WKen Miss Brown had been appointed matron there had been six nurses living in the Hospital, whilst to-day there were about fourteen. This threw a great amount of extra responsibility on her. A large amount of the success attained by the nurses was due to, the matron's training. It was not now a question of Hospital examination, but State examination, and as an evidence of the efficient training the nurses did receive he mentioned that two of them who had recently left the Hospital had been appointed to responsible positions — one as matron at St. Helen's Home, Dunedin, and "the other as sub-matron. During the last few years the buildings at the Hospital had been increased, and the number of patients had grown from an average of about 16 at the time Miss Brown received her appointment to between 35 and 40.' Then a great deal of surgical work was done at the Hospital — more than at most of the hospitals in the Dominion, and the matron was responsible for all arrangements and preparations for- these. This was a very big responsibility indeed. The matron .was not only responsible for the well-being of the Hospital, but also for housekeeping. She was clever and absolutely trustworthy and a woman justly entitled to the favourable consideration of the Board. He had not come ' before the Board at 'the instigation of the matron, but on his own initiative. In reply to Mr Bellringer, Dr. Leatham stated that he did not consider it would be practicable for the matron to do the dispensing. Mr Bellringer said the dispenser was only at the Hospital a few hours a day and he thought.it would be in the interests of the Hospital if the dispensing were done by the matron, her salary and that of the head nurse being increased proportionately. Dr. Leatham said the £8 per month charged for dispensing included the cost of all drugs supplied outside specials. He did not think there would be much saving. Mr Burgess said the drug bill had often appeared a large item to him._ Mr O' Sullivan asked if patients were charged with these extras. Dr. Leatham said they were not, but he thought this was a matter the Board should go into. Several members expressed the opinion that where patients could afford it they should be charged with these extras. Mr Brown thought if the Board had its own dispenser it would effect a considerable saving in surgical dressings by importing the supplies required. Dr. Leatham said they were already importing a large amount of their supplies. It was rather a comprehensive question, and it would perhaps be advisable for the House Committee to go into the question thoroughly. He would be very pleased to meet the committee. He might say he did not consider the present charge for the dispensing and supplying of ordinary drugs was excessive. Mr Burgess considered the question should be considered by the new Board. This course was agreed to, and the matter was allowed to stand over until the annual meeting. At the annual meeting held subsequently it was unanimously decided to increase the matron's salary to £110 per annum.