HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 5, 14 March 1947, Page 5

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

MARCH MEETING OF BOARD ACCOMMODATION PROBLEM Mr J. Mullins presided at the March meeting of the Whakatane Hospital Board held yesterday morning. Present Messrs. A. F. McGougan, J. P. Caulfield, R. Mitchell, L. Buddie, C. A. Suckling, F. Burt, H. C. McCready and the Secretary, Mr F. Prideaux.

Mr McGougan for the Visiting Committee said that he had visited all parts of the institution and had received no complaints, and many who had been patients in other institutions declared that the service was equal if not better in Whakatane. The accommodation question for nurses was a burning one and he personally could not see how they could carry on with the hospital without making proper provision for the nursing staff. Messrs. Buddie and Suckling were appointed Visiting Committee for the forthcoming month. The reports of the Medical Superintendent, acting Matron, Engineer and Storeman-Porter were read and adopted. Re-Appointment of Member

In response to. the Board’s letter referring to the re-appointment of Mr H. C. McCready to its membership, the County Council replied to the effect that this had been done after consulting two legal authorities, both of whom had confirmed the Council’s action under the Act. The letter was received. Overalls For Nurses

Following the Department’s requisition that nurses should be supplied with overalls for use in the hospital, Dr. Dawson submitted a report favouring the suggestion and speaking to the Matron’s suggestion

that each nurse should be supplied with six of these garments. He contended that the type of work involved and the necessity of safeguarding against infection warranted the number quoted. The Board decided to adopt the practice of providing overalls, but to enquire from other institutions the approximate number supplied to each sister and trainee. Accommodation Problem Dealing with the Medical Superintendent’s report favouring the provision of increased accommodation, Mr McCready suggested that the kitchen in the present nurses home, be closed, and that all cooking be carried out in the main one devoted to the hospital. This he contended would ease the staffing problem, and make for more uniform cooking for patients and nurses alike. Members agreed that the suggestion might be quite a reasonable one but considered that both the Matron and Dr. Dawson should be consulted before anything was done. Out-Patient Department

Citing the practice as carried out in the Rotorua Mr McCready said he could see no reason why a similar service should not be instituted in Whakatane, by way of giving early treatment to people who would become potential patients in the hospital, and increasing the burden on both nursing staff and the board. He said that between 50 or 60 patients were treated in Rotorua in this way daily, and the Medical Superintendent made regular trips to the out-districts such as Galatea and treated and examined all

cases which were brought forward to him.

The Chairman: How many medical men are there on the staff. Mr McCready: The service was commenced with three, but they now have five. The Chairman: Its a bit different when we have only one. Mr McGougan (to Mr McCready): You’d be the first to object if our doctor was to go round the countryside treating out-patients. Mr McCready: I wouldn’t be against it providing the institution was left under proper control. If people in the country can be saved waiting hours and hours in doctors waiting rooms then I’m all for it. Mr Suckling: Would it relieve the number of occupied beds?

Dr. Dawson: No I don’t think it would make any difference. It would merely mean that patients from the outside practitioners would be brought to the institution. On Mr Buddie’s motion it was decided to defer the matter* until next meeting and in the meanwhile to make every effort to expedite the matter of obtaining information on the subject from other institutions.