HOSPITAL BOARD.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, 11 September 1923, Page 5

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING .

The monthly meeting of the Thames Hospital Board was held yesterday. There were present Messrs W. E. Hale Chairman W. J. Hall, 11. L Berney, W. Kennedy, D. Mackay, J. W. Dauby, and P. Brenan. The Auckland Hospital Board wired:— “Request your .strenuously oppoise clause Hospitals Amendment Bill supervision of appointments. Dept’s policy seems to be increase responsibility and lessen authority of Boards’ The secretary said that he had wired Messrs Massey, Poland and Rhodes. The Chairman said that he had noticed that Auckland had since changed their attitude. HOUSE SURGEON. The Director General of Health wrote approving of the appointment of Dr. E. R. Lange as House Surgeon. SPAHLINGER TREATMENT. The Director-General of Health wrote forwarding information information in regard to the Spahlinger treatment for tuberculosis. HUSBANDS AND. , FATHERS. . The Director also wrote enclosing copy of regulations dealing with defaulting husbands and fathers. KEREPEEHI HOSPITAL SITE ' The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote asking whether the Board was in a position to complete the purchase of a section at Kerepeehi, which had been held in abeyance pending the collection of the money from the Hospital Committee at Kerepeehi The secretary reported he had been in communication with, the Kerepeehi Committee but had not yet received a reply. Tbe Chairman said all the money had been collected. The matter had been waiting for a considerable time and unless something was done the section would be lost. Mi\ v Brenan moved that the Kerppeehi Committee be written to laying the matter before them, and saying that if the matter was not squared up before the next meeting the Board would notify the Commissioner of Lands that the Board would not require the section. This was seconded by the Chairman and carried. DISTRICT NURSE. Mr. Brenan reported that satisfactory arrangements had been made for billeting Nurse Jarrett, the District Nurse, at Paeroa. RESIGNATIONS. Nurse M. Potterton wrote tendering her resignation. The Chairman said that the nurse had desired to get away and he had accepted the resignation. His action was approved. The fact of the number of resignations being sent in was discussed at length. The Chairman pointed out that many left to get training in other branches.

Mr. Hall said that Avhen the Maternity Home Avas completed, nurses AA 7 ould be able to obtain all training at Thames and an improvement might be noticed. Mr. 1 Danby suggested that in future the reason Avhy resignations Avere. tendered should be investigated with a vieAV to improving the conditions of service if necessary. Mr. Brenan gave ntoice of motion that’’ the nurses committee comprise the Chairman, and Mr. Baker. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. '

Nurse N. Miller wrote applying j for four months leave of absence owing to ill health. The Secretary said that the doctor recommended the application and the leave Avas granted. Mr, Chas. Wah Avrote resigning his position as cook OAving to ill health and advancing years. The Secretary said that Wah was going back to China. The resignation Avas accepted. The Matron wrote suggesting that a Japanese be appointee! in his place. The Secretary said that this would be advisable as if a white man were appointed and proA r ed a good cook local hotelkeepers would offer him extra Avages to go to them. SURGEON’S REPORT. The resident Surgeon reported that nurses Potterton and Millei Avere off ill.

The removal of the partition be •tween the Children’s Ward and veinnda'h is almost completed and greatly improves the ward. Three deaths had occured during the month one female aged 17, appendicitis; one male 70 years senile decay and heart failure and one premature birth. VISITING REPORT. The visiting committee reported that the staff has been working under considerable pressure owin' l ' tp influenza. They recommended improvements to the children’s wards the House Surgeon’s rooms, the doctor’s office and the accident ward. Regarding the X ray plant the committee considered this should be disposed of as there was no further

use for it. A recommendation that night visiting with the exception of Wednesday evening be cut out for a month to relieve the staff during the present very busy period. DISTRICT HOMES . The Superintendent District Monies Taraiu reported that 3 men and 1 woman had been admitted during the month. One man had been discharged and one had died. The farm garden and grounds were looking well and the stock was in good condition. , / NATIVE NURSE. ' The Native Nurse reported that she had visited three Maori Pahs and had made fifteen visits. The District Nurse, Patetonga. reported that she had attended 15 patients during the month and had collected £2 Me gibers commented on the fact of the small amount of fpes collected. The Chairman said that the Patetonga people were under the impression that having made arrange ments for the Nurse’s Board their liability ceased. It was decided to ask the nurse to try and collect more fees. MATERNITY WARD. Mr. Dauby said that the contractor .should be asked to- 'state the date when the Maternity Home would be usable so that the Board could advertise the fact- to enable patients to make their arrangements. The matter was left in the hands of the Chairman and the Secretary to look into, and the Secretary Avas instructed -to ascertain the charges for maternity cases at other hospitals. COMMITTEES. The following were appointed Visiting Committee’s for the ensuing month Hospital-.—Messrs Baker and McKay: —Homes Messrs Hall and Berney.