HOSPITAL MATTERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 9, 14 September 1945, Page 5

HOSPITAL MATTERS

WHAKATANE BOARD MEETS OPENING OF NEW WARD In answer to a query as to when the new women's ward would be opened, Mr A. • informed the Whakatane Hospital Board at its meeting yesterday that he had' been assured .definitely that all work would be completed in the near future—well before the end of the present month. Mr McCready considered it necessary to complete the kitchen improvements before proceeding to occupy the new ward. The* chairman,■ (Mr h- 13iuldle) pointed out that there would be no actual increase in the number of patients f but merely a transfer from the present women's ward to the new one. The old ward would be immediately renovated. Discussing an 'official opening' for the new ward the chairman remarked. that at a recent committee meeting all members were of the opinion that such a ceremony was not warranted. The main thing to his mind, was to get the building occupied as soon as possible in order that the balance of the building programme could be completed. The question of purchasing army huts for use by the domestic stall was mentioned by the chairman who said that Mr McCready had undertaken to make an inspection of suitable huts at Tauranga which were price.d at £50 each. Mr McCready would be reporting back to the Works Committee,

New Nursing Award) A letter from the Hospital Boards Association indicated that as from April last it was proposed to make adjustments in the Nursing Sisters Award increasing the grade of ward Sisters by additional salary of £20 for those living out and £13 for those living in. Other details were also mentioned. The secretary informed the board that when 'introduced the new award would mean fin increase on ihe board's w: ge' bill of approximately £900 which had not been budgeted for. On the chairman's motion the whole matter was referred to the Finance Committee for investigation and later report. The chairman read a letter he had written on the Board's behalf expressing serious dissatisfaction with the services of the architect in connection with various features of the new women's block and demanding greater interest in the building scheme in future. The letter was unanimously approved.

Proposed Improvements The letter from the Health Department received last month anent a number of new building proposals for the institution was again considered. The scheme embraced a milk-room and a x nursery adjoining the children's ward f thirty more rooms for accommodation of nursing staff sitting rooms for nurses ? domestics and maternity staff nurses electric appliances for the kitchen, steam press for laundry and a store building.

The secretary estimated tliat to carry out all proposals would mean a further expenditure of approximately £50^000 The secretary was instructed to enquire into the prospects ol' obtaining the laundry press and the kitchen equipment. The Board decided. to reply that as far as the other details of the requisition were concerned it would be prepared to carry them out when the necessity demanded and opportunity occurred. The chairman remarked, that many •of the suggestions were 'known to the Board, already but had been found quite impossible to carry out.

Proposed Amalgamation Mr McGo.ugan raised the question of the proposed amalgamation with Wai'kato but was informed by the chairman that there was nothing •official before the meeting. Members had been given copies of the information supplied by the Waikato Board to the. County and Borough Councils but that was all. There was no invitation to attend a •conference and in the absence of any proposal there was nothing to discuss.