HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 74, 17 January 1947, Page 5

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

JANUARY MEETING HELD WHAKATANE BOARD MEETING The January meeting of the Whakatane Hospital Board took place yesterday, Mr J. Mullins presiding. Present Messrs. J f P. Caulfield, H. C. McCready, F. Burt, C. A. Suckling, L. Buddie. The secretary (Mr F. Prideaux) and the Medical Superintendent (Dr. E. T. Dawson) were’ also in attendance.

The Medical Superintendent, Matron’s, Headporter-Storeman’s and Engineer’s reports were read and adopted. Mention was made of the new milk supply under the pasteurised scheme, by the Headporter-Store-man, who said that in his opinion the new method led to a greater wastage of milk than under the bulk supply, as many of the bottles were returned half full and in many instances only the top-milk was taken. It was pointed out further that with the new )yard and entrance to the. institution, no portigo was provided over the main entrance. Patients were often disembarked in the rain which was most discomforting. Both the Headporter’s and Engineer’s reports were referred to the Works Committee. Mobile X-ray A letter from the Waiapu Hospital Board minuted on a communication from the Taranaki Board' giving details of the work of the newly constructed Mobile X-ray which was now operating in that district. The letter stated that the cost of the unit was £4OOO, with a further £2OOO for running costs and operation. It was mainly instituted for the purpose of treating the Maori population and was capable of handling over a hundred per day for tubercular purposes.

The chairman gave it as his opinion that at the present time it would be useless for the Board to go to any additional expense for the discovery of still more patients, when the hospital was already overcrowded and understaffed. It would be futile to comb out fresh patients without reasonable hope of treatment. It would be better to concentrate on accommodation first.

Mr Suckling: The object is to go round the countryside looking for T.B. trouble.

Mr Burt: You’ll find it alright,

Mr McCready thought the Board should welcome the suggestion and get all the information possible on it. Dr. Dawson said the scheme in Taranaki was to X-ray the entire Maori population without exception. In the Whakatane district the District Nurses were doing good work and were very thorough in combing out all prospective cases.

On Mr McCready’s motion it was decided to contact the Department of Health with-a view to discovering all details possible on the subject and how much the Board could expect the Government to share in the expense. Road Entrance A letter from the Borough Fore-man-engineer drew attention to the suggestion of the Engineer of the State Housing Department, that the whole of the entrance road should be sealed and kerbed so as to be in agreement with the new State hous-

ing sub-division in that vicinity. It was estimated that the total cost would be in the vicinity of £2200 of which the Board’s contribution was set down at £750. If the Board was prepared to make an offer however it would probably result in having the work done to the Board’s great advantage. The subject was referred to the Works Committee for consideration and report.