ASHBURTON NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18939, 9 December 1929, Page 10

ASHBURTON NEWS.

HOSPITAL BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Hospital Board was held to-day. Present—Messrs W. T. Lill (chairman), W. Bryant, G. F Hardie, W. G. Gallagher, F. Frampton, A. Horsey, C. A. Campion and Dr J. Russell Wells. The medical superintendent (Dr Bilcliff) reported that the number of patients remaining on October 31, 1929, was 68, 37 males and 31 females, the number admitted during November being 107, 56 males and 51 females. During the month 105 patients had been discharged, leaving 69 in the institution on November 30. During the month patients were dealt with as follows: —Outpatients 156, treatment outpatients 156, X-ray examinations 73, ultra violet ray 23, bacteriology 37, chemistry 153, operations 63, massage 272, Diathermy 205, plaster operation 1. Sister Jackman had returned from holidays and Sister Caird had left for her vacation. Nurses Kidd, Crombie and Menefy, who had passed the hospital examination last month, had* gone to Timaru to sit for the State examination. Nurses Bland and Watson had left, and Nurses Cain and Gabites had commenced duty on December 1. Nurse Clark was on sick leave. Methven Home.—During November three patients had been discharged and four admitted, leaving three in hospital. Malvern Home.—Eleven patients were admitted and ten discharged, leaving five at the end of the month. Rakaia Home.—One patient was admitted and four discharged. Following were the notifications for November—Borough: Pneumonia 1, hydatids of liver 1, puerperal fever 1; county: Pneumonia: Allenton 1, Wheatstone 2, Lauriston 1; tuberculosis; Tinwald 1;; diphtheria: Allenton The chairman (Mr W. G. Gallagher) reported that authority had been received for the erection of the shelters block to proceed forthwith. The question of a sewer connection had been referred to the Borough Council. At the time of the recent threatened coal strike the secretary communicated with the contractors and advice was received that the strikes would not affect deliveries to the hospital. The financial statement for the month of November showed receipts amounting to £1362, the principal items being: Patients’ fees £502, and maintenance levies £Bll. The expenditure amounted to £2274, the chief items being maintenance £1331 and administration £167. The secretary (Mr A. Prentice) submitted a financial review for the past eight months compared with the same periods over the past three years. The average daily number of patients treated was 73.0 (1928, 64.9; 1927, 65.5; 1926, 71.5). The fees receipts from all sources were £4997 (1928, £4191; 1927, £3811; 1926, £4125). The estimate of fees for the year is £5700, which would probably be exceeded, but it was not anticipated that the fees recovered for the remaining four months would be as high as the average for the period under review. The maintenance of all hospitals amounted to £ll-,465, or £465 more than the board s estimate. The figures for the respective institutions are as follows::—County Hospital, £9849 (1928, £10,146; 1927, £9603; 1926, £10,358). Malvern, £687 (1928, £656;; 1927, £589; 1926, £505). Methven, £515 (1928 £467; 1927, £432; 1926, £476). Rakaia’ £414 (1928, £418; 1927, £460; 1926,’ £426). Last year there was a large expenditure of a non-recurring nature in isolation renovation, overhaul of steam and radiator services, etc. It was anticipated that at the end of the year there would be a credit of approximately £IOOO. Mr W. T. Lill reported on the meeting recently held in Christchurch in connection with the cancer research campaign, full particulars of which have already appeared in the papers He had come away feeling that everyone should do their utmost to assist in the effort. The various reports were adopted. The secretary reported that the street collection for Christmas comforts for patients was £144 14s Bd. It was decided to thank the Cavendish Club for its fine effort. Arrangements were made for Hospital Day on December 20, when the institution will be thrown open for public inspection. A discussion took place in connection with the proposed cancer research cam paign, and it was decided to defer the local effort until the policy of the central committee in Christchurch were announced.