HOSPITAL AFFAIRS.

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17763, 10 December 1929, Page 5

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS.

THAMES BOARD MEETS.

REPORTS OF THE MONTH.

FILLING HOUSE SURGEON'S POST

The final meeting for 1929 of the Thames Hospital Board was held yesterday afternoon, when Mr W. E. Hale presided over Messrs C. W. S. Flett, C. W. Parfitt, A. R. Robinson, D. Courtney, J. Lange, J. W. Danby, E. L. Walton, and P. Brenan. Mr G. Tonge, secretary, was also in. attendance. Waihi Patients. The Waihi Hospital Board wrote in answer to the Board's letter re urgent cases, that they must support their medical officer in his decisions to what constituted urgent ca'ses.—Received. District Homes. Mr Robinson reported that the Homes looked very well and ,the fruit looked like being plentiful. The chairman moved that the usual Christmas cheer be extended to the patients. Mr Brenan: What do you mean by "Christmas cheer" exactly? The chairman; Oh, we just go and wish them the compliments of the season! > Mr Brenan: And a nice economical way, too! (Laughter). It was resolved not to meet in January, 1930. / The same committees as had served last month were re-appointed. Medical Superintendent, The temporary medical superintendents reported that Dr Sowerby had returned to duty on December 1. There ■had |been admitted 45 male and 48 female cases during the month; seven deaths had occurred. Some 89 patients ha<fbeen discharged, leaving 69 still in hospital. Operations . numbered 45., \ Engineer's Report. The engineer, Mr ¥. McLoughlin, reported that the Inspector of Machinery had paid a visit and found everything in order. Steam piping to the extent of 25ft had been replaced. The Homes. The matron of the Homes reported that .there were 17 men and one woman at the Homes, one hian having been admitted during the month. Their conduct had been uniformly good. • ~. . . The Home Farm. The farm hand stated that the condition of the pasture was very good, as- was the milk production, being 18 gallons per day. The garden was also very good and ' the egg production was fair, being 193 dozen for the month. The Native Nurse. The native nurse reported that she had paid 156 visits during the month. Visits had been paid to pas at Paeroa, Tirohia, Komata, Moananui, Puriri, Parawai, Karangahake, Tui, Kopu, Kauaeranga, Kerepeehi, and Thames. The schools at Puriri, Tirohia, and Kerepeehi had, been visited and the children instructed on the subject of scabies. Matron's Report. The matron, Miss K. M. Ansenne, notified that the Women's National Reserve had; sent magazines, and St. George's Church flowers and eggs. Miss Bayley had inspected the maternity annexe. There had been 12 births during the month. House Surgeons Scarce..

The vexed question of filling the position of house surgeon came up again and the chairman reported that it had not been possible to obtain one. There appeared to be a great shortage of young doctors. The board had raised the -salary from £l5O to £3OO, but without result. Mr Parfitt thought that it was far better for the Board to have a house surgeon than to pay out £4O per month for the giving Of anaesthetics. Mr Waiton agreed. The Board had had its innings at getting men at under their value. Mr Lange moved that £350 per year be offered. Mr Parfitt seconded, and the motion was carried. Tenhte Cdiiri. The secretary reported upon the cost of putting down a tennis court. The material alone came to £'9s/0/4. The court would be close io the night nurses' cottage. Mr" IJanby suggested the grass square on the Mary Street frontage. This would be cheaper than the secretary's suggestion. The chairman did not like the suggested position of the court. Mr t)anby considered that Voluntary labour would" be forthcoming if reeded.

The secretary said that he understood that there had been a tennis court at the Mary Street front. Mr PvObinson thought that some facility for sport should be provided, for the staff! He moved that a committee, consisting of the chairman, the secretary and Messrs Lange, Courtney and himself, be set up to go into the question of providing a tennis court for the staff.

Mr Lange mentioned that the cheapest cost, interest and upkeep, would run into £2O per year. A grass court would need much more attention. He suggested that the Board approach the Methodist Tennis Club to allow the nurses to play on the Methodist courts at a fee. Personally, he did not think that the court would be used much.

Mr Walton seconded the resolution. Mr Lange's suggestion was added to the resolution.

The Board then went into commit-

tee to discuss the report on the laundry. Opening Paeroa Hospital. " In answer to a question from Mr Brenan, the chairman said that it would probably be some date in March next when the Paeroa hospital would be ready for opening.