HOSPITAL BOARD.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15977, 20 November 1919, Page 10

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Wanganui Hospital Board was held yesterday, Mr W. Ritchie being in the chair.

YENEREAL DISEASES.—The North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote asking the support of the Board in the following resolution; “That the Government be requested to fnake venereal diseases notifiable as the best means of coping with the existing evil.”—lt was agreed to support this. OVERDRAFT.—Re the Board’s application for a reduction from 6 per cent, to 5-j- per cent, of the Board’s overdraft, the head office of the Bank of New Zealand wrote complying with this request. MORTUARY.—The Deputy-Inspector wrote asking if the Borough Council had been approached re the .erection of an up-to-date mortuary, and, if so, what decision was arrived at. The acting In-spector-General also wrote asking if be were right in interpreting the Borough Council’s reply to mean that in the event of the Hospital Board establishing a mortuary the Council would cease to make use of the present Borough mortuary. The Town Clerk wrote stating that re the proposal to erect a mortuary at the Public Hospital, whether in the event of the Hospital Board establishing the proposed ’mortuary the Council will cease to make use of the present Borough morgue, and in reply the Town lerk sated that it was the idea of the Borough Council to close its morgue in the event of the Hospital Board proceeding with the erection of one in connection with the institution.

DISTRICT NURSE. The Ohaktme borough Council wrote making application to tho Board for the provision of a District Nurse for the Ohakune Borough in’terms of the circular letter No. 434 issued by the Public Health Department, dated 22-8-1919. The Council thought that Ohakune being the centre of a large "district warranted this appointment being made, and expressed its hopes that the Board would see its way clear to grant the request. Mr Pilkingtoii said 'he was of the opinion that more district nurses should be appointed, and that the Board should accede to the request of the Ohakune, Borough Council. Mr Hiuo thought it was only fair to provide Ohakune with a district nurse. Mr Pilkingtbn thought that the Board should comply with the Act.

The chairman remarked that Ohakune should not be backward in coming forward in the matter of helping themselves.

Mr Pilkington persisted in the Board sticking to its compliance with the Act. Whether or not Ohakune did anything in the way of collecting voluntary contributions, h5 would ask the Board to comply with the Act, and accordingly moved that the Board accede to this application.

The motion was lost. Mr Bassett then moved a motion to the effect that the Ohakune Council be infomed that Ohakune would be assisted in the provision o{ a District Nurse on the same conditions upon which other districts were assisted. . Carried.

TAIHAPE HOSPITAL.—Drs G. N. MacDiarmid and D. L. Sinclair wrote, stating that they have taken over the superintending of the Taihape Hospital, and had been in that capacity since the 18th October, and were now awaiting the Board’s instructions. Dr Sinclair wrote accepting the position of joint medical officer with Dr MacDiarmid*. THANKS.— I The District Secretary of the TaraAaki-Wanganni District .branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects wrote thanking the Board for its kindness in allowing the branch the use of its room, and enclosed a cheque of .£2 2a as a donation to the funds of the Wanganui Hospital.

HOSPITAL FEES.—The Department of Public Health wrote stating that the rate of payment for Service Patients” (i.e., patiens whose treatment is a liability of the Defence Department) in civil hospitals was being increased from 5s to-6s per diem. RESIGNATION.—The resignation of Nurse K.' M. Finn as sister on the nursing staff of the Wanganui Hospital was accepted. HOSPITAL PLANT.—The medical superintendent of the Wanganui Hospital wrote stating that at a meeting of the Wanganui Brinch of the B.M.A. held recently certain matters were discussed which they wished brought before the attention of the Boards The X-ray plant was cohsideerd totally inadequate for the needs of the hospital, and district, and the Association wished to express their full endorsement of the .statement in the report of the Medical Superintendent (Dr Robertson). It was also suggested that the medical men of the town should be able to draw their supplies of sera and vaccine through the Hospital, as by so doing they would receive them at cost price. In this way the latest scientific treatment would be available to the poorest patients who are at present to a certain extent precluded from obtaining these measures because of their high price. This matter was referred to the next meeting of the executive committee.