HOSPITAL BOARD HOLDS MEETING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18641, 19 December 1928, Page 10

HOSPITAL BOARD HOLDS MEETING.

The North Canterbury Hospital Board met to-day, Mr H. J. Otley presiding. There were also present:—Dr H. T. D. Acland, Mesdames T. Green, H. F. Herbert, J. M’Combs. the Rev J. K. Archer. Messrs G. Armstrong. J. Boyd. R. H. Davison, L. B. Evans. H. H. Holland, F. Horrell. D. M’Mullan, F. Rowell. F. G. Norton, A. T. Smith, and W. J. Walter. STATISTICS. It was reported that the average daily number of patients in hospital during the month of November was 349.06. In the venereal diseases’ department there were 1234 attendances, representing 275 patients, 37 of whom were new. The patients in hospital remaining from October numbered 345. The admission* during the month were 479, there were discharged 455 and 28 died. There were in hospital on December 1 341. The statistics of the other hospital* were:—Akaroa 9 in residence on November 30, Amuri 4, Darfield 1, Ellesmere 2, Kaikoura 12, Lyttelton 2, Oxford 4, In the Sanatorium there were 95 patients in residence on November 3, and 67 in the Coronation Hospital. There were 32 children in the Fresh Air Home. There were 6 boys and 2 girls awaiting admission. The Hospital Committee reported that in connection with the venereal diseases’ clinic, the committee had requested the medical superintendent to endeavour to obtain a person to undertake the duties of nurse-inspector in this department at a salary of £l5O per annum with board and residence. The board was recommended to approve this step. It was believed that the duties of the two officers could well be combined. thereby saving the services of one individual. Acting on the advice of the medical superintendent, and with the approval of the honorary staff, the board was requested to approve the appointment of a tenth house surgeon for the Hospital. With reference to the appointment of Dr Will In charge of the orthopaedic and physio-therapeutic department which terminates at the end of the present year, the board was recommended to continue the appointment for a further period of twelve months. The report was adopted. RADIUM AND DEEP THERAPY. Dr P. C. Fenwick, medical officer in charge of the radium and deep therapy department reported that forty-two new patients were accepted for treatment during November. The total attendance for the month was 338. Thirty-five applications of radium and 68 deep therapy treatments were given, and 147 treatments with ultra-violet rays were given. Ultra-violet ray treatment had proved most successful in various diseases of the eye and a number of patients had been sent to this department by Dr Wales, who had expressed himself very pleased with the results. Dr Wales had promised to give a special report in this class of case, and Dr Fenwick believed that much good might be done in the future. Dr Fenwick recently addressed a circular to 50 ex-patients asking for a report on their health. He had already received answers from 36. Every one reported in much improved health. The radium was intact and all the X-ray. machines were working perfectly. The report was adopted. The Sanatorium. The Medical Superintendent of the Cashmere Sanatorium reported that the number of admissions for November was eleven, while there were three patients discharged at the conclusion of their treatment. On November 30 every bed in the Sanatorium was occupied, while the waiting list contained the names of two patients who had applied for admission. The following showed the number of patients who had been under treatment in the Sanatorium for over twelve months:—

At the out-patient department the attendances for the month were 39. Flnane* Committee. T, he Finance Committee reported that with reference to the site for the Lyttelton Maternity Hospital, the oommitrecommended that the building should be erected on a section—being part of that occupied by Mr Heeney at the present time—provided that satisfactory arrangements could be made with the Borough Council. The question had been raised as to what price the board would accept for the site of the old Akaroa Hospital. The committee recommended the board to sell at the borough valuation, £1250. The report was adopted. Conference Semit*. The following remits for the Hospitals Conference, suggested by the committees named, were adopted:— From the Hospital Committee.—Staff nurses, at the present time, receive—in their fourth year of service and over—a salary of £75 per annum. The committee suggested that there should b* an Increase in the fifth year of £lO. making the maximum for staff nurses £BS per annum. » That staff nurses, called upon to act as sister, should be paid at the rate of £95 per annum. That sisters, after having completed four years as a sister, shall receive an annual increase of £lO for the three following years, which will make the maximum salary for a ward sister £IBO per annum. That sisters in special departments shall increase to a maximum of £2OO per annum. Beyond the above proposal it was suggested that the lady superintendent of nurses should have a maximum salary of £4OO per annum, contingent on length of service. From the Benevolent Committee.— That the Government be requested to consider the " residential clause ” in the Old Age Pensions Act, and that the period of residence in New Zealand be reduced from twenty-five years to twenty years. It was also suggested that a. remit should be sent forward raising the question as to whether persons sentenced to a term of imprisonment should not receive remuneration for their work before the expiry of three months of the sentence. At the present time wives and families were left with no means, and it was only after tliree months of the sentence had passed, that a small monetary recognition was made of the work done whilst the man \yas in prison. It was suggested that this time might be shortened to two months, and the board’s opinion was asked whether a remit in this direction should be sent forward. It was decided to forward a remit. The third Cornwell Cup trial at Lyttelton last night was won by Gadfly, with Wet-U second. The skipper of Wet-U has lodged a protest against the winner for alleged fouling of the boat Wee May. The protest will be dealt with by the Yacht and Motor Boat Club on Friday.

Service. Civilian. Over 12 months 8 4 Over 18 months — 2 Over 2 years 2 — Over 2£ years — Over 3 years 3 —