HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 62, 13 December 1946, Page 5

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

WHAKATANE BOARD MEETING FIRE PROTECTIVE MEASURES Mr J. Mullins presided at the December meeting of the Whakatane Hospital Board yesterday morning. Present Messrs. H. C. McCready, F. Burt, C. A. Suckling, A. F. McGougan, J. P. Caulfield, J. Mitchell and the Secretary, Mr F. Prideaux. On the recommendation of the Works Committee' the Board agreed to write the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade to make a thorough inspection of the hospital and furnish a report on the whole of the fire fighting equipment wih recommendations for improvements. The shortage of milk billies which was mentioned previously since-the delivery of pasturised milk in containers to the Hospital was reported on by the Storeman Porter who stated that on a check over a short period recently 14 quart bottles and 18 pint bottles were not returned but were probably on the premises. It was decided that in view of the improvement which had taken place since the matter was first discussed, to hold the matter in abeyance until next year.

In answer to the Board’s enquiry the Health Department notified that the provision of free duty stockings and shoes did include 'maternity trainees.

Two claims for allowances (one for holiday pay and anotker. for a month’s salary in lieu of notice) were referred to the Finance Committee., •

Training School Status

A letter -from the Nurses and Midwives' Registration Board intimated that it had decided to give the Board three months notice, to revoke its approval of the Whakatane Hospital as a B grade- training school.

The Medical Superintendent stated that he had .scant knowledge of the matter other than from a letter written-by Miss Lambie in which the accommodation question tyas mentioned,. and a promise indicated that on the erection of a hew hospital the school would be reinstated. The whole matter,. said Dr. Dawson, was most difficult as he expected some seven new nurses to 'take up duties in the v New Year, providing that they could be trained in the school. The chairman considered that the Board was at least entitled to an explanation, or reasons for the revokation. This was . particularly, needed in view of the new probationers who were offering.

The secretary was instructed to write accordingly and the matter was held over until next meeting. Maori Trainees

When remits from the forthcoming Hospital Board’s Conference were under discussion, Mr McCready said he thought it high time the .Board made an honest attempt to establish Maori trainees and doctors in the district. There "were quite suitable personnel in the Maori communities to fill ‘such positions and from a district such as this he thought that such' a remit should be forthcoming. Mr F. Burt seconded, declaring that if Maori trainees were employed' it would be greatly appreciated by Maori patients, particularly the older people. > The Board agreed to put forward the r,emit.