HOSPITAL BOARD

Wairarapa Daily Times, 17 April 1935, Page 5

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Board was held this morning, Mr W. Fisher presiding. ADDITIONS TO HOSPITAL. The report of the special committee set up to prepare recommendations' to bo submitted to the Board with reference to proposed alterations and additions at the Masterton Hospital. Plans and specifications were submitted to the Board. Tho chairman said the additions were going to cost- a long way beyond what he had expected, and they would have to be curtailed somewhat. It was a question of whether they should rearrange tho whole scheme. The alteration proposed provided for 16 bedrooms for nurses, two bathrooms, boxroom, sun-porch, and an administration block; Tho present proposal was for a short term loan of about 5-years, and Mr W. B. Martin (Martinborough) thought consideration should be given to a long term loan of, say, 25 years. The building would be a permanent improvement to last forty to fifty years. A long term loan was, therefore, reasonable. . Tho secretary reported that the total loan indebtedness of the Board after £IOOO which fell, due this year was paid, would be £2700. On the motion of Mr J. F. Thompson (Greytown), it iwas decided to refer the proposals back to the committee to produce some alternate plan.

Tho necessity for some increase in accommodation was stressed by the chairman. Patients in hospitals were increasing' very much faster than the population in the hospital district, and were likely to increase, as the hard times are likely to be a cause to the continued increase. With reference to stay of patients in hospital, lie thought it would be a big mistake if the stay was cut down unless there was a convalescent, home. ODDFELLOWS ’ DEPUTATION. A deputation, introduced A. G. Shrimpton, from members of the Wellington District of the Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows, the governing body of Manchester Unity throughout the .Wellington Province, waited on the Board.

The deputation .was in connection with the ultimatum to the Manchester Unity that the existing agreement cease within three months, and that the Manchester Unity be invited to link up with the new agreement arranged with the United Friendly Societies, which was arranged at the February meeting of the Board. ; r Mr \V.' Browh, a'inember of the deputation, pointed out that, the Manchester Unity wished to continue with their present agreement, which was that the Manchester Unity . , paid 66 2-3 of maintenance, and in addition paid fees ■for” X-ray, anaesthetic, out-patients and ambulance. This agreement dated back approximately six years, and had been granted because the Unity could guarantee to pay their bills. It was not as liberal as arrangements with other hospital boards. Tie considered that the present scheme was more profitable to the Board than the new scheme proposed to be put into operation. His body desired to keep the present arrangement, as they did not wish to lose- the supervision and the connection already built up with their members. They were not asking a favour, but something which tho Unity Order believed was a good bargain for the Wairarapa Hospital Board. Tliev considered that the new scheme which the Board proposed to cover all societies was largely a gamble from the Hospital Board’s point of view. The Manchester Unity .members in tho Wairarapa Lodges totalled 493, and the Board would be fortunate if the Board got 200 of those to join the new scheme. Tho chairman thanked the deputation, stating that the Board would give full consideration to the reinstatement of tho new agreement. . Mr Thompson moved the following notice of motion for next meeting. (1) That the existing resolution be rescinded, and (2) that the existing arrangement with the Manehestci Unity bo continued for another year.