HOSPITAL BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18349, 21 August 1929, Page 13

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Hospital Board was held yesterday. Present. —Mr E. Macdonald (chairman). Mrs M. E. Tilbrook, Di C. A. Paterson, Messrs G. Dash, W. Geddes, A. Goodall, R. S. Griffiths, J. T. Hay, B. R. Macdonald, M. McLeod, G. Saunders and the Medical Superintendent, Timaru Public Hospital (Dr J. Campbell McKenzie). Correspondence. A letter received from Mr and Mrs Dewar, Elizabeth Street, Timaru, expressing sincere thanks for the skilful and attentive manner in which their son had been cared for in Timaru Hospital, and also appreciation of kindness shown to them on their visits to the hospital. The writer spoke in high terms of the manner in which the institution was run. The chairman: “You’re not listening. ! Dr. McKenzie.” (Laughter.) ! Dr McKenzie: “We very much appreciate such letters.’ ’ The Minister of Health (Hon. A. J. Stallw r orthy) wrote, regrettting that owing to Parliamentary duties it was not likely he would be able to visit the South Island before the end of the session. He suggested that the United Friendly Societies’ Council should write to him direct, putting forward matters they wished to bring under his notice. It was decided to refer the matter to the United Friendly Societies’ Council. The Director-General of Health (Dr T. H. A. Valintine), wrote, suggesting small alterations on the plans of the proposed maternity home at Temuka. The chairman, Mr McLeod, and Dr McKenzie were deputed a committee to go into the matter of the alterations. j Medical Superintendent’s Report. | The medical superintendent report|ed that the month had been a quiet I one, except that Talbot Hospital rent ained moderately full. As several of the trained nurses were willing to remain on the staff for their fourth year, Miss Lindsay (matron), recommended that the Board revert to salary arrangements in force some years ago—Nurses in third year £SO : in fourth year £6O until passing State Examination, thereafter £75, those appointed charge nurses after six months registration £9O. The report was adopted. Fairlie Hospital The sister in charge (Miss F. Marshall), reported that five patients had been admitted during the month. One patient had died, and seven had been discharged. There were no maternity cases. The report was adopted. House Committee. | The House Committee reported as follows: Nurses and Mid wives Registration Board. —Circular letters were received from the Board drawing attention to regulations regarding the termination of the services of ‘pupils in training. also requesting Hospital Boards to avoid accepting pupils for training until they reach 21 years of age as they are ineligible for registration until 22 years of age. The circular! have been referred to the Medica.

Superintendent. Timaru Hospital Laboratory.—The Deupty Director-General forwarded a report by Dr Pearson on the Laboratory. The report referred to the inadequacy of the accommodation, and mentioned that the scope of the bacteriologist’s • work should be limited in certain directions. He also recommended that necessary text books should be provided. Recommendation.—That the report be referred to the Medical Superintendent and that he be asked to submit a requisition for text books. Dentist, Timaru Hospital.—An application for a salary increase has been referred to the Finance Committee for favourable consideration. Social Service. The Social Service Committee reported having dealt with 52 applications for assistance Since the last meeting 8 new applications had been received. Six had been granted assistance at a cost of £ll 15s, and two were granted an allowance of 5s per week. Thirty one applications for further temporary assistance had been received. Twenty-eight were granted at a cost of £SB 9s and two were declined. In one case the secretary (Mr H, G. Naylor), was requested to take proceedings under the Destitute Persons Act. The remaining 10 cases were given work at Talbot gardens ai a cost of £l2. Three permanent cases had been reviewed and it was agreed to continue assistance for one month in one case, and unless property is assigned to the Board assistance was to be discontinued in the second case The remaining case was being further inquired into. The report was adopted. Finance Committee. The report of the finance committee was as follows: Hospital Taxation.—At the last Hospital Boards Conference the Executive of the Hospital Boards Association had been requested to consider the question of taxation, with a view to arriving at a means of apportioning more equitably the burden as between town and country ratepayers. A report had now been received from the Executive in which they stated that there should be no justification for altering the Incidence of local taxation in the direction proposed. Furnishing New Administrative Offices.—The secretary submitted a list of new furniture etc., which would be required to furnish the new offices, at a cost of approximately £IOO After carefully considering the items the Committee recommends that the secretary be authorised to purchase same. Painting Wards 1 and 2, Timaru Hospital.—Authority for this work has already been granted. The secretary has been authorised to advertise for tenders. House Committee’s Recommendations were agreed to as follows:That the salary of the dentist (Mr C. Paterson) be increased by £SO p.a.; that the scale of salaries for nurses | recommended bv Miss Lindsay be adopted: that Timaru Hospital tennis court be top-dressed: that requisitions for six (6) bassinettes and purchase and affixing 30 locks in the nurses’ home be approved. The report was adopted. Treasurer’s Statement. The treasurer (Mr H. G. Naylor), reported that the balance, as per bank pass book on July 31, was £2812 6s 2d and remittance in transit £499 7s 6d, making a total of £3311 13s Bd. Outstanding cheques amounted to £3501 0s Bd, so that the balance as per cash books was £lB9 7s. General. The chairman submitted a report of the last meeting of the Waipiata Committee he had attended. Everything was working satisfactorily and the Committee had every cause for congratulation. In answer to a question. Mr Dash stated that a bacteriological report on the water as used in the Waimate Hosi pital, from the town supply, had been received from the Timaru Hospital. The water was considered as “pure as falling snow,” and better than that obtained from artesian wells in Christchurch.