HOSPITAL MATTERS.

Thames Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 17836, 11 March 1930, Page 5

HOSPITAL MATTERS.

MEETING OF BOARD.

Nurse Tenders Resignation.

OPENING PAEROA HOSPITAL.

ARRANGEMENTS COMPLETED.

The monthly meeting of the Thames Hospital Board took place at the Board’s room yesterday, Mr W. E. Hale presiding over an attendance of Messrs J. H. Lange, D. Courtney, C. W. Kennedy, E. L- Walton, C. W. Parfitt, C. W.VS. Flett, P.. Brenan, A. H. Robinson and W. J. Danby. Mr G. Tonge, secretary to the Board, was also present. Inspecting Accountant. The Director-General of Health advised that Air C. H. Beggs, the Department’s inspecting accountant, would shortly visit Thames, and requested the secretary to give him any information he may require. The secretary announced that the accountant had paid his visit to the. office. . Thanks. / The secretary of the St. George’s Sunday School wrote thanking the Board for the use of the Board’s property at Tararu for their annual picnic.—Received. Waikino Old Boys. The secretary of the Waikino Old Boys’ Association seiit an invitation to its re-union on Friday, 7th March, at Waikino. —Received. • Resignation. Nurse L. Reed tendered her resignation, • she having completed her training. The resignation was accepted by the Board with regret. Removal of Trees. Beatrice F. 'Simpson, a resident of Karaka Road, wrote /asking the Board to remove the poplar trees, which are obscuring the view of the harbour from the residents of theKaraka.' ’<■ • The chairman said the Board would endeavour to have the trees removed. '• ' REPORTS. Resident Surgeon. ' The resident surgeon, Dr W. Bowerby, reported that for the .menth ending February 28, 34 males'and 38 females were admitted to the hospital. During the period there were 34 males and 37 females discharged. There were no deaths, and the operations numbered 33. —Received.

Matron’s Report.

The matron reported that Nurse Leach bad given satisfaction as acting theatre sister, and with the approval of the medical superintendent recommended her appointment as theatre sister, from March; 1. The Women’s National Reserve provided the usual papers and magazines, and had taken „the convalescent patients for a car'ride. Mrs Hall, Matatoki, sent in a large quantity of peaches, and Mrs Danby took a car of nurses gathering blackberries, which resulted in 601 b. being gathered. There had been nine bifths at the annexe during the month. The matron’s recommendation in reference to Nurse Leach was adopted. Mr Kennedy, on behalf off 'the visiting committee, said he wished to bring under the notice of the Board the necessity for another maid. The isolation ward had been added, but there had been no increase in the staff.

The chairman said he understood a relieving maid was required. (He was looking forward to a reduction in the number of the domestic staff. The matter was left in the hands of the chairman and secretary to look into.

Engineer.

The engineer reported that the laundry machinery had been working well. The coal consumed amounted to 27 tons 15 cwt. —Received.

The Homes and Farm.

The matron of the Old People’s Homes reported that there were 19 males and one female inmates at the District Homes, and their conduct was good. The farm pastures were good; the e gg production had decreased. Mr Robinson said he had visited the Homes and found the farm looking well, and the, paddocks were all carrying good feed. The cow purchased by the chairman was turning out a good one. There was a good crop of mangolds. He suggested that there was a fine opportunity on the farm for a silo for making ensilage, and thought the matter should he investigated. Native Nurse. The district nurse to the natives reported having paid 58 visits. There had been three births and two deaths. Nine native pas had been visited. —Received. The ’ Ambulance. Mr Robinson drew the attention

of the Board to the fact that its ambulance was not provided with shock absoxbers. An accident had happened, and Dr Liggins had returned with the patient in the ambulance. Owing to the corrugations on the road and the ambulance not having shock absorbers, it made it vpry rough riding. Dr Liggins had asked him to bring the matter before the Board. 'The, right sort of absorbers would cost about £l3. He thought the Board should install these absorbers on the ambulance. The matter was left in the hands of the chairman and secretary, with power to act.

Relieving Officer.

The relieving officer reported upon several matters under his care, and the Board adopted his recommendations.

Accounts. Accounts to the amount of £1039 5/- were passed for payment.

Committees.

The following committees for the ensuing month were appointed: — Homes: Messrs Kennedy and Parfitt; Hospital: Messrs Brenan and Courtney.

Fees Written Off.

The secretary reported that after consulting the Audit Department he had come to. the decision that, for book-keeping purposes, the following fees for 1924-25 should be written off. This did not prevent the Board from still endeavouring to recover the fees: —General fees, £6499 5/6; ambulance, from 1923-1928, £146/16/6; out-patients’ fees for 1924, £23/10/-. \V ‘ Mr Brenan asked if every endeavour had been made to collect the fees.

The secretary replied that he had done everything possible to collect the fees, and had collected a considerable amount.

The chairman said the Board’s collection of back fees compared more than favourably with other hospital boards. y It was decided to write off the amounts.

Paeroa Matron.

The Board then considered the applications received for the position •of sister-in-charge of the Paeroa maternity annexe. After reading the testimonials accompanying the applications, Mr Brenan said the success of the institution depended to a great degree on the capabilities of the person appointed,, and he thought that no appointment should bn made without a personal interview with the person selected. He moved that the applicant selected by the Board be asked to meet the local committee.

This was seconded by Mr Walton and carried. v v? Cook* General.

From a number of supplications, Mrs Cooper was appointed cookgeneral for the Paeroa hospital.

Paeroa Hospital.

The committee appointed to make recommendations .'for the conduct of the Paeroa maternity ,hospital reported as follows: —

. (1) That it be conducted on the same lines as the Matamata maternity hospital. • (2) That the patients engage their own doctor. , (3) That the opening date be April 3, at 2 p.m., and that the Minister of 'Health, Dr Valintine and the member for the district be invited. Failing the attendance of the Minister of Health, the chairman undertake the opening cere-: •mony. ' . (4) That invitations be sent to Paeroa. Hospital trustees, the iNurse Pennell Memorial trustees, the Paeroa Comforts’ Committee, and the medical practitioners of the Thames hospital district to attend the ceremony.

Mr Danby said the question of medical attention was a serious one, A medical oversight might plac.e the Board in an awkward position.

Mr Kennedy asked if an accident occurred, who was to say which doctor should be called.

The chairman replied that the patient, or someone on his behalf, could call any doctor they desired. This arrangement was working well at Matamata.

Mr Lange pointed out that no undue risk should be taken by the Board. The recommendations were adopted. Mr Brenan reported that everything was ready for the sowing of the grass in the grounds of the Paeroa hospital. He also asked that the money expended by the Paeroa Boiough Council be refunded before March 31. The Board decided that the amount be paid to the Paeroa Borough Council. Tenders for Supplies. It. was decided that the Board call tenders for the annual supplies to the hospital, returnable three days before the next meeting.