PALMERSTON NORTH HOSPITAL

Chronicle (Levin), 19 June 1946, Page 2

PALMERSTON NORTH HOSPITAL

MANAGING-SECRETARY'S REPORT The following report by the man-aging-secretary (Mr. A. J. Phillipps) was read and adopted at the meeting of the Hospital Board, held at Otaki on Monday:—

"Painting work: During the month the exterior of the McHardy Ward and the side rooms adjacent to the theatre have been painted and general maintenance work on the main corridor is proceeding. A renovation of the whole of the interior paint work at Ward 8 (the tuberculosis annexe building) is being commenced. We will have to continue to do a certain amount of maintenance work on this building as in parts it is becoming rather dilapidated, and though it is eventually to be replaced by the new j block a reasonable standard of j maintenance is to be kept up. > Alterations have been completedj during the month to the room previously occupied by the archi- j tect's department, adjacent to thei bacteriological laboratory, and the| laboratory has now been given > additional floor space to enable the i department to cope with increased i work. "Laundry: Some difficulty was, experienced last winter in maintaining a reasonable temperature; for the staff working in the pack-j ing room at the laundry. I have, recently had a hot air unit heater j fitted into this room and small j alterations carried out to cut down j the amount of draught. The result I should be a great improvement in) the conditions under which certain j of the staff are working. | "Diet kitchen: The ventilatmg, system for the diet kitchen has, been completed during the month. j This work was intended to proceed, as part of the kitchen re-construc- ! tion work, but was held up until suitable fittings could be secured. Considerable difficulty was experienced last summer as regards the ventilation in this room, and the work which has been done will greatly improve the position. "Grounds: Arrangements have been made for levelling and clearing the area adjacent to the Centennial Hospital. "Otaki hospital: Recently I have had a labourer working full time at Otaki Hospital cleaning up the yard and the grounds, and assisting to establish new lawns. A coke bin sufficient to take a truck of coxe has been built, and the area at the back of the hospital is being prepared for tar sealing during the next summer. I have arranged for necessary renovations to be done in the portion of the Otaki Hospital building, which was not painted after the fire. This includes complete renovations of the domestic staff sitting-room and some renovations at the matron's. quarters. Mr. Bryan, the gardener at the Otaki Hospital, who has been in the board's employ since July, 1928, ceases duty at the end of the present month. For some time past Mr. Bryan's health has been such that he has not been able to carryout his duties in his usual manner. He gave good service to the board over a long period of years and has resigned for health reasons."