HOSPITAL BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 17 March 1927, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Hospital Board was held yesterday. Present—Rev. T. W. Potts chairman), Mesdames W. H. Unwin, M. E. Tilbrook, F. A. Raymond, Messrs E. Macdonald, E. Hardcastle, G. Saunders, R. J. McKeown, B. R. Macdonald, W. Geddes, T. Brown, G. Dash. A letter was reecived from Dr. T. L. Parr, Medical Superintendent, Timaru Hospital, tendering his resignation. The resignation was accepted with regret.

MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT’S, REPORT. The acting Medical Superintendent, Dr. I. C. Fraser, submitted the following report for the month. In-patients remaining from January 85, admitted in February 122 (90 in February, 19 26), discharged in February 121 (S 7in February, 1926), remaining to March S 6; a total treated of 207. Average occupied beds 80.8 (81.8 in February, 1926). Of the 121 discharged, 107 were cured, 10 relieved and 4 died. Of the S 6 remaining, 21 had been in hospital for over two months. 42 operations were performed, and 8 confinement cases attended. Out-patients.—Consultations 235 (254 in February, 19 26), surgical dressings 97 (81 in February, 1926), ante natal clinic 20, a total attended of 352. Massage Department.—ln-patient treatments 79, out-patient 47 (20 in February, 1926), a total of, 126. Dental. Department Attendances 254, extractions G.A. 6, local 45, other treatments 9, fillings 64, dentures 21. The report was adopted.

ANNUAL STATISTICAL RETURN. The Medical Superintendent (Dr T. L. Parr) reported on the statistical returns for the year 1926 as follows: In-patients—Remaining from 1925 64; admitted during 1926, 1243 (975); discharged during 1926, 1215 (971); remaining in 1927, 92; total treated in 1926, 1307 (1035); average occupied beds, SB.l (77.8), average days stay, 24.6 (27.4); Operations, major, 231 (IS4) ; minor 463 (365). Confinement case 3, 120 (65). Result of treatment of 1215 patients: Discharged, cured, * 579 (652); relieved, 249 (217); died, S 9 (72). Percentage of deaths to discharges 6.98 (7.4). Out-patients— Consultations, 2953 (329 1); surgical dressings, 1371 (1469); massage 440 (465). Total attendances, 4794

(5231). Diseases treated —A classification of the diseases treated, involves a great many headings. Tne following figures may be of interest although they only cover 575 of the patients discharged. Enlargements and inflammations of tonsils and adenoids 200, dental caries 66, fractures and dislocations 62, other injuries 89, appendicitis 38, heart diseases 34, new growths 35, pulmonary mberculosis 25, diphtheria 15, pneumonia 16. Causes of deaths —Of the 89 deaths, the following were the most common causes: Senility 27, Bright’s disease 7, pneumonia 5, pulmonary • tuberculosis 3, cancer 15, heart diseases 6, diabetes 3. —The report was adopted. OLD PEOPLE’S HOME, The, master of the Old People’s Home reported for the month as - follows:

Four men were admitted to the home. Seven were discharged, one male inmate died, leaving in the home on February 2Sth, 4 3 men and four women. On February 28th the United Choristers gave a concert at the home, and on February 6th, a similar function was given by the Salvation Army Silver Band. Donations in kind were received from Mrs Jervis, Miss I-loldgate; fruit, Mrs J. Hetherington; flowers, Mrs Tooth; playing cards, S.C. Club; reading matter, Mrs Hooper, J. Newman, South Canterbury Club, G. Virtue, St. Mary’s Guild, “Timaru Post,” Salvation Army, N.Z. Methodist, J. Bowie. The donors were thanked and the report was adopted. HOUSE COMMITTEE. The following is the report of the House Committee: Several matters affecting the Timaru Hospital were dealt with, hut final consideration was held over pending the return of the Medical Superintendent, at present on annual leave.

The dispenser tendered her resignation, which was accepted. The secretary's action in advertising the position was approved, and a subcommittee appointed to consider applications and make a recommendation regarding the filling of the vacancy. In this connection the Committee recommends that future appointments he made for a term of 12 months, after which the engagement to be terminable on three months’ notice from either side. Further, that transport expenses be paid after completion of 12 months’ service.

The committee had no recommendation to make regarding the expenditure for the ensuing financial year. The report was adopted.

SOCIAL SERVICE. The following report was presented by Mr Hardcastle on behalf of the Social Service Committee: An application for treatment of a patient at Hanmer was passed to the Einance Committee for favourable consideration. The medical superintendent, Hanmer, reported on South Canterbury cases, who are progressing satisfactorily.. New cases. —Live new applications for relief were received, and all granted. Eour were of a temporary nature, at a cost of £lO, and one-will be a permanent case, at a monthly cost of £1 7s.

Further temporary assistance was granted in three cases, at a cost of £9, and one has become permanent at a monthly cost of 13s 6d.

An application for the payment of an account in connection with an indigent boarder was declined. Referring to the payment of board, Mr Hardcastle said the Board could not adopt a precedent of paying board, as they would not know where to stop. Mrs Raymond said that the woman in question had the offer of going to tho Old People’s Home, but would not take advantage of this.

A member: “AVe’ll have to establish a poor house yet.” Mr Hash said an old man had recently been sent to gaol, and after remaining there for a week he had the offer of going to a home. He would not go to a home, however, but was quite content to stav in gaol. The report was adopted. TREASURER’S STATEMENT. The treasurer (Mr H. G. Naylor) submitted the following financial statement feu - eleven months ended February 28:—Balance as per cash books, Ti'nu*m £3341 Is sd, Waimate £135 13s 7d, a total of £3476 15s; receipts £39,130 7s 9d. a total of £42,607 2s 9d. Expenditure, maintenance £36,982 13s sd, capital £4994 7s Bd, a total of £41,977 Is Id. WAIMATE HOSPITAL. ' The Waimate Committee ■ reported as follows: Chairman’s statement.—This showed that receipts were £B3 13s 7a, and

accounts were presented for payment lor £470.7s 4d.

Patients treated.—The return showed that 52 patients had been admitted, and 45 discharged, leaving 40 in hospital. Hot water service.—Mr DasH reported on the breakdown of the hot water service, and said that an engine was now doing service as a boiler, at a rental of £2 per week. A report was being sent to tho Power Board so that they could quote for electric heating and cooking. Doctor’s report. —Dr. Pitts reported for Dr. Wylie that work was proceeding smoothly at the hospital. The

new dispensary was now in use, and with the exception of a few small details, was complete. i The report was adopted. Shower baths. —Dr. Pitts drew attention to'the need of shower baSh.;, as there were nono in tho hospital. Proposed by Mr Dash, seconded by tlfft chairman: “That there being no shower baths in the institution, it is recommended that one be provided over each bath, for the sake of economy in hot water.”—Carried. Matron’s salary.—The matron wrote asking for an increase of salary, from £175 to £2OO per annum. Proposed by Mr Sinclair, seconded by Mr Hayman: “That tho matron’s salary bo increased to £2OO.” —Carried. House Committee’s report. —Mr Hayman reported that the committee recommends the acceptance of the following tenders :—Funerals, John Moore, adults £3 2s 6d, children 2s 6d; bread, R. E. McNisli, 27 per cent, oft delivered price; meat, J. O’Brien, per cent, off cash price; fish, W. J. McDougall, 10 per cent. ofF shop price. The report was adopted, with tho exception that tho tenders for funerals bo further considered at next meeting. Finance Committee’s report. —A statement was placed before members, showing the expenditure over the past three years, and tho estimated ex-

penditure to the 31st March of this year. With regard to the question of hot water sorvico and _ steam, this is at present under consideration. The Pqwer Board will submit a proposal to the next meeting of the Hospital Board. There will of necessity he a further sum required for capital expenditure, whichever scheme should bo adopted, either to heat water by electric current, or by a boiler fed with coal. Inquiries are also being made as to the cost of a boiler and steam plant. Receipts for the ensuing year are estimated to be:—Patients’ fees £I7OO, miscellaneous £IOO, a total of £ISOO. The committee have reviewed a largo number of patients’ accounts, and nave given instructions regarding tho collection of these. It has been resolved ter take legal proceedings to recover a number of accounts, and summons will be issued accordingly.' Tire committee recommends to write off patients’ fees amounting to £3049 2s 7d.

The repßrt HOTS adopted. Destitute persons.—lt was resolved to submit tho question to the Hospital Board, as to what was their attitude towards the payment of maternity fees for destitute persons, when they are in private maternity hospitals in the Waimate district, as then: is no provision fry- such cases at tbe Waimate Hospital. Will the Board pay such fees from charitable aid ?

Speaking with regard to maternity fees, the chairman said that as far ns they were concerned at .Timaru, the Social Service. Committee was not in favour. of assisting any person in a niaterni.ty heme or any other private institution. In his opinion they should not encourage the practice. § Mr E. Macdonald considered it advisable for the Waimate Committee to establish a maternitv ward of their own. He moved that the Waimate Committee be asked to discuss the matter and submit the proposals to the Board. Mr Hardcastle and the chairman worn in favour of tin’s suggestion, and the motion was carried, and the report adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE.

The Finance Committee reported as follows:—■

Letters were received from the Director-General of Health regarding capital expenditure and bank overdrafts for the ensuing financial year. Recommendation: That capital estimates amounting to £5835 he provisionally agreed to, and application fcir advance against subsidies be made. The Timaru Borough Council asked the Board to contribute £3 towards the expenses of the visit of the Duke and of York. Recommendation : That contribution he agreed to. Travelling expenses of dispenser.— The House Committee’s recommendation that travelling expenses be paid after 12 months’ service, was agreed to.

Medical superintendent, Timaru Hospital.—Recommendation : That the position be advertised at a sa.'arv at the rate rf £750 p.a.. with Lee house, light, fuel and laundring. The treasurers statements were examined and approved. Accounts amounting to £3606 0s lOd wove passed for payment. The report was adopted.