HOSPITAL BOARD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21816, 20 November 1940, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARD

House Surgeons Called In Ballot Appeal To Be Made A recommendation of the House Committee that the Director-General of Health be approached regarding the release from military service of two house surgeons called up in the Territorial ballot was adopted at a meeting of the Timaru Hospital Board yesterday. Two of the three men appointed as house surgeons for 1941 had been called up for training, reported the Medical Superintendent (Dr J. C. McKenzie). “We are going to be left hfgh and dry for a long time in the work of the hospital if both' these men are going,” he added. “I think we should protest to the Department of Health against stripping the hospitals of staff.” Maternity Nurses In view of the difficulty of obtaining trained maternity nurses, the House Committee recommended that the suggestion be made to the DirectorGeneral of Health that it be made compulsory for maternity trainees to serve at least six months after passing their examination before receiving the certificate. “It is wrong that the training school should be exploited,” said the chairman (Mr E. Macdonald). “The trainees lose all interest as soon as they get their certificates, and it is very hard to get relieving nurses at country hospitals. It is hoped that the recommendation will bear some fruit.” The recommendation was approved. At the request of the Borough Health Inspector it was resolved that the Superintendent and bacteriologist be authorised to undertake the testing of the water supply and the water of swimming baths, and to fix the necessary fees. In view of the increase in the infirmary type of case and the probability of having to staff one or two dormitories in the Old People’s Home, Dr McKenzie suggested that the Board consider acquiring the section opposite the nurses’ home at present rented. It was likely in the near future, he said, that the Board would have to establish a preliminary training school and the site would prove suitable for the purpose. The secretary was instructed to make inquiries and report to the next meeting of the Finance Committee. To a request from the Government Audit Inspector for a ruling on the right of a Board employee to retain fees for the examination of applicants for invalidity pensions, it was agreed to reply that the fees were paid to the credit of the Board’s account. Free Dental Treatment A request was received from the committee of St. Saviour’s Orphanage that boys at the orphanage be given free dental treatment. The secretary's reply that the Board had previously agreed to provide free treatment except where parents or guardians were in a position to pay was approved. A donation of £5 was passed to the Timaru Health Camp Committee. The master (Mr E. Laverty) reported that there were six admissions to the Old People’s Home during October and five discharges, leaving 28 still in the home. The health of the inmates had been good. A number of gifts in kind was acknowledged. The treasurer reported that during October receipts amounted to £50,330 12s 6d and payments to £50,205 10s 4d, leaving a balance in the .bank of £5,125. The meeting was attended by Messrs E. Macdonald (chairman), C. Ley, H. J. Clarke, J. Dempsey, C. E. Kerr, J. Acland, and Dr C. A. Paterson.