HOSPITAL MATTERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 15, 16 October 1945, Page 5

HOSPITAL MATTERS

PROPOSEJD WAGES RISE LOCAL BOARD'S DIFFICULTIES Tlie Hospital Board's Association last week submitted a schedule of suggested increase, in wages and salaries to hospital stalls. The Whakatane Hospital Board has objected for three reasons (a) that the new rise has come too quickly on tlie heels of the recent increase; (b) that the Local Bodies Commission report has not yet been considered by the Stabilisation Committee; (c) that the Board lias not budgeted for the proposed rise and could not meet it from its current revenue. The chairman (Mr L. Buddie) ' explained that he realised by comparison with other callings nursing sisters were not overpaid. Board members would he was sure be only too glad to assist in getting higher wages for the but unfortuna_ tely under the existing circumstances. they were forced to take the careful view. Mr McCready said he had been surprised to see that the Waikato Board had acceded to the request already and published its intention. He objected to such action as 'bulldozing' other Boards into "the same position and asked on what authority one Board had proceeded before a consolidated position had been reached. On his motion it was decided to write enquiring into the action of the Waikato Board. Chest Block Mr McGougan urged the necessity for proceeding with greater accommodation for patients suffering from contagious complaints. He mentioned the Chest Block, which he said was fast becoming an absolute necessity. The chairman pointed out that though the Government had offered to construct the block it would be for the Board to maintain it and staff it } and such a responsibility would be an expensive one. It would also mean increasing the existing services—a new boiler room and laundry. Mr Caulfiekl considered it a national matter which the Government should not thrust on to hospital boards. It was decided to write the Department stressing the urgent need for such a building and asking the position with regard to the original proposal.

Visiting Hours A deferred suggestion of Mr McCready's to the effect that the existing visiting hours should be. extended for the benefit of country visitors l was discussed with Messrs McGready s Caulfield and Mullins favouring an extension from 7.15 to 8.15 p.m. on Firday evenings only. 1 j Mr Suckling considered it inadvisable in view of the doctor's statement that any extension after 8 p.m. would seriously inconvenience the staff and have an undesirable effect on patients. The secretary read a table following enquiries from no less than :U hospitals in all of which the visiting hours never were permitted to exceed 8 p.m. The whole question of visiting hours ? and control of visitors in the wards, was finally referred to a subcommittee comprising Messrs McGoiigan ? McCready and Mullins.