HOSPITAL BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16565, 26 October 1921, Page 7

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING, The North Canterbury Hospital Board met to-day, Mr H. R. Sorensen presiding. Tho Hospital Committee reported that the following fees had been collected tiio last meeting;—Christchurch Hospital £735 4s 4d, special departments a.'3GS Us, Kaikoura Hospital £l9 3s, Oxford Hospital £l6 2s. Waikari Hospital £5, Rangiora Hospital £9 12s, Lyttelton casualty ward £ll 10s; total £1195 Os Id. The average number of patients iu hospitals during: September was Christchurch Hospital 351. Kaikoura Hoßpital 13.2, Oxford Hospital 5, Waikari Hospital 2.6, Akaroa Hospital .03, Lyttelton casualty ward 1.3. With reference to the propoeed transfer of the splint department to the board, the committee regretted that it could not recommend the acceptance of the transfer at present, as tlie proposal of the Direct-or-General of Medical Services would mean that there would be dual control in the workshops. An application had been received from tho Tramway Employees' Sick Benefit Society for agreement with regard to " hospital beds ” for the members of tlie society. The committee rooommended that Die application be agreed to, provided the society undertook to pay oneha IF of the fees for members. Tho committee still had under consideration the problem of providing a weekly or fortnightly holiday for nurses, hut was faced with the difficulty of providing the necessary accommodation for the extra staff required. Every effort would bo made to give effect to tho proposal. With regard to the plans for the new home for nurses, the architects had been asked to thoroughly review them and., obtain a careful estimate of the probable cost of erection. The report was adopted. The medical officer of health supplied the following statement of notifications of infections diseases received during tlie months of August and September:: Bear let fever 49, diphtheria 57, tuberculosis SV, pneumonia 31. puerperal septicaemia I, varicella (chicken-pox) 27. erysipelas to, trachoma 1, tetanus 1, ophthalmia neonatorum 5. On tlie date of the meeting there were thirty-one cases in the Infectious Diseases Hospital, as follows: —Scarlet fever 14, scarlet fever and diphtheria 6, scarlet fever, diptheria and chicken-pox 2. scarlet fever and chicken-pox 4. diphtheria 2, chicken-pox 1, measles 1. mumps 1. The Finance Committee recommended the board to use every endeavour to proceed with the work of extending the Infer tious Diseases Hospital forthwith. With regard to the question of medical subsidies for the Amuri, Cheviot and Waikari districts, arrangements had been made to Interview the medical men concerned, and it was anticipated that the chairman of the board would be in a position to make a recommendation at the board table With regard to the Rangiora Maternity Hospital, the board is recommended to have plans oropnred for a hospital of ten beds, and that so soon as the plans had been adopted they should be exhibited in Lhe districts concerned. The extension to li'ie Coronation Hospital would be completed within a week or two. The alterations at the Sanatorium were well In hand, and it was anticipated 11. at tlie work on the new theatres would be eon. pleted well within the estimated time. The report was adopted.