CARE OF THE SICK

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXI, Issue 8833, 16 October 1942, Page 3

CARE OF THE SICK

THAMES HOSPITAL BOARD ACCOMMODATION PROBLEM ARCHITECT’S REPORT AWAITED The problem of providing accommodation for the increasing number of patients was discussed at the monthly meeting of the Thames Hospital Board on Tuesday, when a letter was received from the Director-General of Health advising that one of the Department’s architects was being sent to Thames to furnish a report on the improvements required in the Thames Hospital. Recent inspections, the letter stated, indicate that there are many departments in the hospital which require additional' facilities such is the isolation ward, the sanitary annexes of the main wards, the ward kitchens, the main hospital kitchen, suitable accommodation for tuberculosis patients, and extensions tp the nurses’ home.

Following the visit of the architect it is proposed to discuss matters more fully with the board.

Hopital Fees

The secretary of the' Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board advised that as from October 1 the Board had fixed its rate of fees for the hospital treatment of outside patients at 15s per day, less such amount as may be received from the Social Security Department.

A similar letter was received from the Opotiki Hospital Board. This means that the Thames Board must pay 9s per day for patients from Thames district who enter those hospitals and that is not l'ecoverable from the patient.

Reciprocity

The board agreed to a reciprocal arrangement with the Bay of Plenty Hospital Board. with regard to Section 92 (Claims) of the Hospital Boards Act, which means that the Thames Board will not claim for Whakatane patients, and Whakatane in return will not claim for Thames people treated at Whakatane.

Reports Received

The resident surgeon of the Thames Hospital, Dr. E. H. ,W. Gifford, reported that at September 30 there were 53 male and 45 female patients in the hospital. The number of infectious disease cases dropped considerably during the month.

Coromandel Hospital

Dr. F. Birkinshaw advised that work at the Coromandel Hospital proceeded smoothly during September, and despite wartime conditions the equipment at the hospital was being built up. A gas-and-oxygen machine of the latest type, the purchase of which was assisted by funds from the people of Coromandel, will, the report added, prove of great value, not only in the operating theatre but' ajso in the maternity department. With the addition of new and improved sanitary blocks and a remodelled kitchen block, tfye hospital might almost be described as a model of what a small country hospital should be, the report concluded. Di\ Birkinshaw also reported on the Whitianga Hospital, which had been fairly busy during September, but was functioning smoothly.

Waihi Hospital

Dr. L. R. Hetherington, resident surgeon of the Waihi Hospital, reported that the hospital had been moderately, busy during September. There were 23 male and 18 female patients in the hospital at the end of the month. The matrons’ reports from Coromandel and Waihi were also received. They dealt chiefly with staff matters. Paeroa Hospital Miss W. Moore, matron of the Paeroa Hospital, reported that that institution had been steadily busy during September, the maximum number of beds occupied per day being seven and the minimum two. Farm Production Work on the farm at the District Home, Tararu, was summarised by the superintendent, Mr A. A. Sutton, who indicated that for September, 45 gallons of milk, 15 dozen eggs and 251 b. of pumpkin had been supplied to the Homes. To the Thames Hospital the farm supplied 530 gallons of milk, eight dozen lemons, five dozen eggs, and two and a-half dozen grapefruit. Staff Matters An application of Miss Olwyn Bratlie to terminate her employment at the Waihi Hospital to enable her to return to help on her father’s farm was acceded to. A notification was received from the District Manpower officer that Miss A. M. Jones had lodged an application to terminate her services as a staff nurse at the Waihi 'Public Hospital from December 28 next on the grounds that she desires to undertake maternity nursing at the Wanganui Public Hospital. The board agreed to release her. The matron, Miss K. M. Ansenne, recommended that Miss E. M. Hunt, staff nurse at the Thames Hospital, be released to continue her training in midwifery at St. Helens’ Hospital (Invercargill), and that Miss M. J. Puckridge be relieved of her duties at the Thames Hospital Annexe to enable her to take up Plunket training at Dunedin, both being accepted by the board.