HOSPITAL BOARD

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 170140, 17 February 1921, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING-. The monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Hospital Hoard was held yesterday. Present: Iter. T. Wilson Potts (chairman), Mrs F. A. Raymond, Messrs E. Hardcastlo, G. Saunders, G. Hash, W. Geddos, B. It. Macdonald, A. Frew, G. M., Mitchell, and Hr. Loughnan. The chairman reported on the business of the deputation which waited on the Hon. C. J. Parr last week in reference to various matters, and said ha thought there was a possibility of geting' the financial relief asked for.' Tlie secretary to the GovernorGeneral wrote that his Excellency’s visit to Timaru had been postponed owing to the speoial session of Parliament, and consequently lie would not lie able to open the Nurses’ Hostel on tlio date'desired. Advice would be sent later as to when his Excellency would be in tin’s district. hire G. Young, of the Old People’s, Home, wrote thanking Tho Board for its kindness to her husband and herself on , relinquishing their duties at the home. They had not expected any reward, and therefore appreciated it the more.

Tho minutes of the Waimato Hospital Committee were read and approved.

The Director of Hospitals sent a, circular letter in regard to the working conditions for nurses in publio hospitals —(1) regarding the granting of a clear, day off duty each week, and (2) concerning a minimum annual holiday of 2'l days. Th© Minister for Health was desirous that the two proposals’ should be given effect to as soon as possible. The matter was referred to the Visiting Committee. Dr. Wylie, Director-General of Hospitals, wrote in regard to the treatment of cases requiring special treatment for facial and jW deformities and defects. The Otago Board was now prepared to receive ordinary hospital patients from other hospitals for the treatment of facial and jaw injuries at the fees charged for ordinary maintenance. ■ VISITING COMMITTEE. This committee reported that they met on various occasions during tuo month, and had considered a number ot matters affecting uie welfare ot the ’institutions. They recommended that a cnarge Sister ue appointed for the Nurses’. Hostel, salary to commence at £l3O per annum, Mrs .Raymond, the and the Matrou to draw up conditions of appointment. OliicoiV reports were reierred to the Board lor consideration. The committee recommended thut the Matrou •bo granted six weeks’ leave this year, to be taken, alter removal to the Nurses’ Hostel. Circular from Public Health Department re nurses’ leave and holidays.—■„ The committee recommended that the wishes of the Department.be given effect to as soon as the new hostel was occupied, and tiiat the R.M.O. arrange with the’ Matron, Timaru Hospital, for nurses’ holidays and off duty time to bo scheduled. Complaint from J. M. Maliony, per Loyal Timaru Lodge.'—The committee inquired into this matter, and were satisfied that Dr stringer’s report was sufficient explanation, and they had forwarded some to the Lodge. Dental Department, Timaru Hospital. —The Government proposal to take over' this Department lad failed to ■ materialise,’ and tho committee how recommended that Mr Paterson be reinstated under tho old conditions. It.M.O.’s report in regard to the ward for incurables!—Tho , committee recommended that the suggestion to r hbld this matter in Abeyance pending completion of isolation block be Jippi’bVr od. ;■ The various institutions under ■ control of ’ the Board had been visited by tho committee during the month; I • Tlie report was adopted. . ■ 1 9 OTHER REPORTS. ’ The Matron reported that the routine hospital work was going off "well, 'there were three . new probationer nurses taken 011 sinco December, and three were on the waiting list to be taken on when the new Heme was completed. Dr L. B. Stringer, R.M.0.. reported for January aa hollows:—Out-patients 95, operations 37, dental, anaesthetics 1. ! In-patients—Remaining from Decemj ber 1920 39, admitted during January 69, disoharged 64, remaining on January 31st 44. Talbot Hospital—-Remaining from ! December 1920 .2, admitted daring ' January 1, discharged 2, remaining ou January 31st 1. Patients over two months in Hospital numbered fifteen. ; FINANCIAL.

The Board’s treasurer reported that the hank balances that day were au follows :—Tno geiierau 'account was in credit to tne extent of £271) 12s 3d. The building acount at Tnnaru was in credit £224*1 15s 6d, and tho building account at Waimuto £l6 5s 3d. Tlie receipts since the previous meetuig iiad been: Patients’ payments £1 Dtf 13s 10d, local bodies’ contributions £2919! 7s tM, interest £32 15s, land agents’ fees £3B lus, euhsidy £'2597 IV s 7d, a total of £5608 3s lid. The Government subsidy amounting to £1837 10s was due, and had been applied for. Account* to be passed for payment that day amounted to £4365 9s lOd. Mr Bash, as chairman of the Finance Committee, reported that the committee liad had a lengthy meeting that | morning. They were of opinion that tho Waimate Hospital Committee's suggestion to appoint a. whole-time 6ecrot- ] ary to control their institution, although desirable in some ways, was unworkable under the present Government system. The committee were of opinion that the present official at Waimate should bo appointed steward, and should act as a wlioie-thno officer, his appointment to he made by the Board as from April 1 next, details ol’ his duties to bo referred to the Waimate Committee for report, and that lie should be under the direct orders of the Board’s secretary, whose instructions he would carry out, the salary to he £250 pur annum. The committee’s suggestions . were adopted. GENERAL. It was decided to hold a special meeting of the Board next Monday night at Fairlie, for pue- purpose of transacting any business that may bo necessary. On that date tile Board will sot out on their visit to the local bodies to plain why an increased levy is necessary, Jlow urn liiuuey is spent, and to answer any other questions. They will visit Fairlie on February 21, Geraldine on February 22. and Waimate on Feb runry 23. The question of the Board’s insurance was .discussed, and it was unanimously decided to approve of the Society’s recommendation that all the Board’s insurances should be kept in one office. It was further agreed unanimously, that tho insurance should be placed in the State Offico for the ensuing twelve months. Mr Bash's notice of motion: "That tho Board review the salaries paid to Nurses and Frobationers,” was ’deferred till next, meeting, as Mr Black desires to be present- when it is discussed. . Tho secretary was instructed to secure the services of au additional typiste lor the office. Account* were paused for payment, and the Board rose.