WANGANUI HOSPITAL BOARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18783, 17 May 1923, Page 4

WANGANUI HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Wanganui Hospital Board was held yesterday. Present. —Messrs P. B. Lethbridge (chairman), Fletcher, Pilkington, Rogers, Battle, Halligan, Ritchie, An, derson, Aldridge, Coleman, Simpsoa aud Mrs M. E. Cornyns. The bank balance to general account showed a credit of £3042 8s Id. Tho Executive Committee reported as follows: That the board’s carpenter proceed with repairs and renovations of the building at 45 River Bank. That the board guarantee the fees in the Dunedin Hospital for three months, together with radium treatment, of Mrs M. Thompson. That a disinfector be purchased at a cost of £159 10s. That leases held by the late Mr J. Anderson be cancelled. That a committee wait on tho Borough Council with regard to installing an electric point for toasting, also with regard to asphalting certain portions of the grounds at the Wanganui Hospital. That three radiators be purchased foi>installation in the X-ray room at the Taihape Hospital. Correspondence.—A letter was re reived from Mrs Innes, thanking the members of the board for their expression of sympathy in her recent bereavement. A letter was received from a resident of Raetihi, stating that his sister, who had been advised to come to New Zealapd from Sydney in order to take treatment at the Rotorua Baths, was unable to pay the fees, as she was a war widow, and her only source of income was a military pension. She was willing to pay the full amount ot her pension (£2 2s per week), but asked if the board could assist her in the payment of the balance (£1 Is per week). The matter was viewed in a sympathetic manner and Mr Pil kington, the Raetihi member of the board, was asked to report to the chairman, who had power to act. The balance-sheet for the year ending March 31, 1922, was rcecived from the Audit Office. The chairman congratulated the secretary (M" L. V. Kerby), on it being returned “untagged.” REPORTS. A report was received from the Health Department re water supply, heating, lighting, cooking, and sterilising services. The most urgent. matters requiring attention were: Improved facilities for cooking by steam; installation of a more efficient serilising service; the heating of the operating room by low pressure steam; the remodelling of the domestic hot water service, and heating same by means of steam. The heating of the various wards is not considered au urgent matter at present.

To provide for the services outlined above it will be necessary to install an efficient steam plant, the building of a boiler house, smoke stack, etc., at an estimated cost of £6OOO. This did not include lighting plant, nor steam driven pump for water supply, but provision should be made for the above in the engine-room in view of its ultimate installation. The letter was referred to the executive. Wanganui Hospital report.—Number in hospital at beginning of month 73 males. 55 females; total 128. Number admitted during the month, 70 males, 56 females; total 126. The following were discharged: Recovered, 95; relieved, 15; unrelieved, 3; /lied, 10. At the end of the month there were 81 males, 50 females; a total of 131 patients. Monthly report of Taihape Hospital.—Number of admissions, 49; number of discharges, 44; number died, 3; remaining in hospital, 29. During the month 22 operations were performed. The X-ray plant is now fitted up and is working satisfactorily. Sister Hean has resigned from the staff. Her place has been taken by Sister Rhodes. The sum of £9O I7s Id was placed to the credit of the board during tho month. Raetihi Hospital report.—Admitted. 8; discharged, 6; remaining in hospital. 7, The District Maternity Nurse re ported that she had paid 76 visits during the past month, including four maternity cases.

Mr A. Halligan was added to the Executive and Finance Committees. Accounts totalling £3899 12s 7d were passed for payment.