HOSPITAL BOARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 115, 18 May 1933, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD

WANGANUI AND DISTRICT REQUESTS FROM OHAKUNE THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. The monthly meeting of the Wanganui Hospital Board was held yesterday, Mr. W. E. Broderick presiding. There were also present: Dr. M. Christie, Messrs. R. Farley, D. D. Simpson, W. J. Rogers. A. S. Coleman. J. A. Morrison, T. C. Kincaid. J. A. Morton, A. J. B. Sicely, C. W. Poynter. Mr. A. E. Dunn, of Ohakune, stating that he was a qualified chemist* wrote on behalf of the relief workers. He said that the relief workers were in need of medicine at reduced rates and they were unable to buy it at present. He asked for a small supply of drugs which could be dispensed to the relief workers at reduced rates. Mr. Morton understood that reductions had been made in Ohakune, which were available to the relief workers. Personally he would like to see a letter from the Unemployment Committee. The matter was left to Mr. Morton i nd the managing-secretary, Mr. L. V. Kerby, to investigate. The Ohakune Relief Workers’ Association wrote stating that there had been several cuts in the allocation? from the Unemployment Board and that, as a consequence, there were many cases of distress and semi-starva-tion. The association asked the board for assistance and that a qualified representative be sent to investigate in''s’'irlnsl eases. Mr.' Morton said the welfare officer had visited the district but had found no extreme cases. He doubted that there was any starvation because there were plenty of vegetables and gardens, while meat was supplied cheaply. He admitted, however, that the allocation was very small and that the relief workers were probably more in need of ciothing than food. If they made application to local bodies he was sure that nobody would be left in want. Mr. Simpson asked whether the matter was not one for the Unemployment Board. Mr. Broderick pointed out that relief for able-bodied men had been taken over by the Unemployment Board last year and he considered the Hospital Board should take no action. It was decided to reply to the Relief Workers' Association, pointing out that the matter was one which should be taken to the Unemployment Board.

Notification was received from the Hospital Boards' Association that the matter of hospital fees of members of Friendly Societies involved in accidents and the probable attitude of insurance companies with regard to the debt to the board had been discussed by the association and the Friendly Societies and it was suggested that the following clause should be embodied in all agreements between Hospital Boards and Friendly Societies: —“ Provided that in all of bodily injury or dis ablement by accident, where such injury or disablement docs not result in death, the association shall not be liable for the cost of relief afforded the injured person by the Hospital Board or any part thereof, unless and until it is established to the satisfaction of the Hospital Board and the Association that there is no reasonable prospect that the cost ot such relief can be recovered by or on behalf of the injured person or the board by action at law against some third party, in which event the third party shall be liable to the board for an amount equal to that ordinarily payable by the association in respect of similar relief in other cases.” Mr. Broderick and Mr. Kerby were instructed to reach an agreement. Matters in connection with the St. Helen’s Hospital an'd a free ambulance for Wanganui were taken in committee. The report of the medical superintendent (Dr. A. D. Nelson) stated there were 115 patients in hospital on April 1; 178 were admitted during the month: 157 were discharged; 11 died, and 125 remained at the end of the month. The nursing staffs numbered 50. The radiologist (Dr. E. J. E. Topham) reported having made 118 X-ray examinations and given 141 X-ray and radium treatments during the month. The Wanganui District Nurse (Nurse Lee) reported having paid 317 visits during April: new rases, 11; discharged. 7; died, 2; number remaining on list at the end of the mor-th, 24. The matron of the Jubilee Home (Miss Strachan) reported tht five new inmates were admitted during April. 55 remaining at the end of the month The health of the inmates was excep lionnllv good. The bacteriologist (Mr. F. L. F. Buxton) reported having made 860 examinations during April . The social welfare officer (Mrs. A. AL Bartlett) reported that there were 145 cases at the beginning of April, now rases 21; cases terminated. 7; eases remaining at the end of April. 159 Casuals assisted. 44; total number of visits to homos during the month. 175 Amount expended during April. £504 13s Gd. of which £447 17s Id was spent in Wanganui. The reports were received.