WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5157, 14 November 1912, Page 2

WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD

A meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board was held in Hamilton this morning. There were present: Messrs J. P. Bailey, chairman, Me. Kinnon, Teasdale, Shaw, Young, Paterson, Lawrie, Ryburn, Boddie, Dickinson, Bollard and Kay. Leave of absence was granted to Mr Chepmeil. Price of Gas. The town clerk, Hamilton, notified that in future the price of gas supplied to the hospital will be charged at an all-round nett price of 7s 6d per 1000 feet.—Received. Health of Women and Children, g The Inspector-General notified the board that the Government intended to subsidise contributions to the Society for the Promotion of the Health of Women and Children, with a view to the establishment of Plunket nurses, to the extent of 24s in the £, such subsidy not to exceed £IOO for every nurse appointed. He suggested that the board should extend all assistance to the establishment of a local branch of the society in this district.—Received. Approval of Plans. The Inspector-General also wrote requesting the board to submit for approval all plans for alterations and additions to buildings,so that the Department may, in an advisory capacity, have an opportunity of making suggestions in connection therewith, that might result in the money being expended with more advantage to the institution concerned. Treasurer’s Report. The treasurer reported as follows: • —Receipts, £366 2s sd; donation, Dresden China, £22; old age pensions £2l 13s 4d; Government subsidy, £361 6s 6d; refunds, £1 9s 4d; rents, £l2 10s; patients’ nayments, £2lO 4s fid. Total, £995 6s. Loan fund, dr., £7500; general fund, in credit, £59 15s Id. r" Division of Hospital District.

Mr G. Elliott, of Pio Pio, informed the council that at a meeting of settlers held there on October 18th, the foillowing motion was carried:— “That this meeting representing the various backblock settlements of- inland le Kuiti objects to the proposed division of the hospital district,being well satisfied with the facilities offered by the Waikato Board, and strongly opposes any proposal of severance from what we believe to be one of the best hospitals in the Dominion.—Received.

On the s-ine subject Messrs J. Boddie and G. Kay reported as follows:—“In accordance with resolution of the board we visited the southern portion of the hospital district, and had the opportunity of meeting a large number of settlers in Taumarunui and the districts adjoining that town. So far as Taumarunui is concerned we found that whilst some of the older residents expressed doubts about the wisdom of separation of the district, the joint meeting of the borough council and chamber of commerce, which we attended by appointment, was unanimous in the desire to have a new district formed with a view to taking over and enlarging the present Taumarunui Hospital, and so long as no attempt is made to include with such new district those districts which can be better served by the Waikato Hospital, we see no reason why this board should object. With regard to the application for a nurse by the Owhanga Settlers’ Association, we consider that if a maternity nurse could be procured for appointment to that position it would be a very great service, as there appears to be a considerable population scattered over a fairly wide bush district, including a large number of women and children. We took the opportunity to visit and thoroughly inspect the Taumarunui Hospital, and were pleased to find everything inside the building was very clean and in excellent order and condition. The inmates, of whom there were five on the date of our visit, were well pleased with their treatment. The staff consisted of a sister and a probationer, who seem to be carrying out their duties in a very satisfactory manner. We con aider, however, that a cook should be provided as there had been frequent occasions when the nurses have been occupied fully with their duties to the entire neglect of the kitchen duties. All things considered we would strongly recommend the board to appoint a cook to look after the kitchen, so that both patients, and staff may be assured of regular meals properly prepared, which under present circumstances cannot be had. We also recommend that some attention should be given to the grounds, which are getting into disorder.”

Mr Boddie, in presenting his report, said that the residents of that district did not consider the removal of their patients to the Waikato Hospital as a satisfactory arrangement. They thought they would get a district, including Taumarunui, Ohaura and Taupo East and West; but the Waitnmo County Council would rather remain in the Waikato District as at present. The valuations of the contributing bodies had been increased in some cases 60 par cent, and they thought that by next year there would be a very substantial increase in the contributions. If the people interested could carry the necessary legislation he did not think the board should offer any objection as no other part of the district would be affected detrimentally. Dr. Douglas said, with reference to the appointment of a cook, that thisliad always been a burning question. The average number of patients in the Taumaranui Hospital was about two. Sometimes there were none and the maximum was seven, so that they had two women, one a charge nurse and the other a probationer, and a porter to look after an average of two persons. In addition they got in a woman to do the washing and scrubbing. He thought Taumarunui offered an exceptional opportunity for practical training in cooking and general management, about a lack of which complaints were often heard regarding nurses who left hospitals and took up private nursing work. Dr. Valintine took a similar view of the matter. Of course he recognised that when night nursng had to be done they had to work a litle bit harder, but- ordinarily they had an easy, quiet time. He did not think the board should agree to the appointment without fully considering the matter. Mr Kay said the suggestion regarding the cook came from the chamber of commerce, and there had been no complaints on the part of the staff. After a short discussion the report was received and no cook, wi 11, therefore, he appointed at present. A vote of thanks was passed to Messrs Boddie and Kay for their report.