WANGANUI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 12292, 9 October 1907, Page 7

WANGANUI HOSPITAL BOARD.

At the conclusion of the above meeting the monthly meeting of the Hospital Board was held, the same members being present, except Mr T. B. Williams, and with the addition of Mr Wray. MINUTES.— The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. BANK-BOOK.— The Bank-book showed a credit balance of .£'9l6 8s 3d. RESIGNATIONS and APPOINTMENTS — The same correspondence and resolutions as in the above meeting, re the appointment and resignation of Messrs Fraser and Georgetti respectively. PROBATIONERS, ETC.— The names of Misses Ethel Moore (of Feilding), Ethel M. Taylor (Wanganui), and S. Porter were placed on the probationer's list for selection. — The resignations of Misses Ada Guroey and M. G. Freeby, probationers on trial, were accepted, and the appointments of Misses Annie Slector and Lucy J. Miller to fill the vacancies, were confirmed, on the usual three months' trial. MENTAL HOSPITAL'S NURSES.— The following communication was received from Dr Valentine, Inspector-General of Hospitals:— lt is desired by the InspectorI General of Mental Hospitals that nurses undergoing a course of training in the various Mental Hospitals of the Dominion ahould be enabled to obtain experience in medical and surgical work in the general Hospitals. The suggested proposal is that after at least three years training in a Mental Hospital, and passing the State medicto — fpsychologiead examination, one or perhaps two specially selected nuraei should pass on to a general hospital for two years, and be allowed then to enter for the final State examination for general nurses. It is desirable that the future matrons and charge nurses of the Mental Hospitals should have, in addition to their knowledge of caring for the insane, an adequate knowledge of general hospital work and management. — The members thought the idea a good one, but wanted more information as to who was to bear the cost of the training, etc., and adjourned consideration of the letter till such particulars could arrive. ELECTRICIAN.— The electrician (Mr VV. artwell) wrote asking for an increase in salary. — Master held over for a month to enable the Chairman to make inquiries is to ruling salaries. TAIHAPE'S WANTS.— A letter was received from Mr J. F. Studholme re the agitation at Taihape for a cottage hospital there.— He secretary stated that the In-spector-General had been written to to ascertain his opinion on the matter. — This letter had not been replied to, but Dr Valentine (Inspector-General), referred the Board to his remarks at the recent Conference of County Councils at Wellington, where he spoke against the establishment of cottage hospitals, the general opinion I being towards limiting these institutions, md directing attention to the improvement of the central or base institutions, where everything necessary for treatment could be provided.— lt was resolved to acknowledge Mr Studholme's letter, and reply that in view of the Inspector-Gen-3ral'B pronounced opinion in regard to the matter, the Board could not see its way o take action. ACCOUNTS. — Acoounha amounting to £414 19s 8d were passed for payment DONATION.— It was decided to thank Mr Georgetti for his donation of attendance payment to the Hospital Board funds.

A slight earthquake shock was experienced at five minutes to nine this morning. The last flood in the river took a slice out of the Aramoho bank opposite the Weeleyan Church. We are informed that the appearance of the bank there suggests that protective measures will have to be taken in that spot also. The action of two able-bodied men in -ailing- on the Charitable Aid Board la«t month for a tea, bed and breakfast was commented on rather adversely by a member of the Charitable Aid Board this morning, when the secretary wns reciting the returns of relief supplied to outdoor recipients. "Everybody at this table, " said the member, "knows that there is at present no need for any able bodied men. if he desires to work at all, to have to beg for a bed and a meal or two, and I think any self-respecting, able bodied man, would be ashamed to do so." Li. At ™ h ? Hospital Board meeting to-day the Chairman drew attention to a letter which appeared in our columns reoently to the effect that the writer understood the Hospital nurses were being overworked. This statement, the Chairman said, was incorrect. There had certainly been a lot )f sickness of late amongst the staff, probably necessitating some of the nurses doing more than their prescribed amount of v-ork. But to put forth to the public that the staff was overworked was a stretch of imagination. The eight hour system w«« m vogue at the Hospital, and it was ad hered to .-w strictly as possible, for th? staff was at present complete. Somo people, be continued had an idea of scribbling and telling stories second-hand, without troubling to verify them, and so far as the local Hospital was concerned the letter did not apply. He was not in the habit of taking public exception to such letters, "ut thought it his duty to do so in this ca^e, as a wrong impression was likely to be created :m to the staffing of the institution.

and Co.