THE HOSPITAL BOARD.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1888, 24 October 1913, Page 3

THE HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. At yesterday's mooting of tho Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, tho Rev. W. A. Evans presided, and there wero also present Dr. Elizabeth Platts-Mills, Mrs. D. M'Laren, tho Rov. J. K. Elliott, Dr. Mackenzie, and Messrs. H. Baldwin, D. Campbell, F. Castle, H. Freeman, W. Galloway, B. 1} Gardener D. M'Tjareii, F. T. Moore, J. W. M'Ewan, G. Nash, G. J. Pctliorick, D. Robertson, and J. Smith. Leave of absence was granted to Miss Richmond, and the Rev. H. Vail St-av-oren. On tho rccomendation of the Hospital Committee, it was decided: (1) That tho purchase of rubber goods (air cushions, water bottles), amounting to £28, bo authorised; (2) that, in view of the report of the consulting engineer, tho tender of the State Coal Depot bo accepted for coal for boilers for tho year ending March 31: (3) that a letter of thanks bo sent to Mr, W. F. Edwards for donation of £6 17s. to tho Otaki Hospital, and he be informed that tho committee has authorised the purchase of a special surgical bod and a trolley from tho amount donated, which carries with it the Government subsidy of 245. in tho £; (4) that authority bo given for the purchase of 15 beds for tho Otaki Hospital; (5) that tenders be invited for cleaning 120 chains of drains; (6) that the Otaki Sub-commit-teo be authorised to arrange, as opportunity offers, for disposal of three or four cows and repla-co them with heifers. On the recommendation of tho Charitable Aid Committee it_ was decided that it be a recommendation to medical practitioners when the Bacteriological Block is opened, to furnish swabs _of throats for verification when notifying dipththeria cases. Tenders were accepted as follow: — (1) Painting ward at Children's Hospital, Messrs. Smith and Smith (£910); (2) supply of blinds O.P. Block, Messrs. George and George (£l7 ios.); (3) erection of verandahs—additions to Wards V and VI, Mr. F. E. Cooper (£520); (4) supply and delivery of forced draught fittings —Messrs. J. J. Nivcn and Co.—£2l 10s., for cast-iron plates, etc., 12s. per cwt. for deadplates bars, etc. In connection with the third item other tenders were received as follow: — A. Wilkeuiiig (£537), W. H. Nimmo (£559), A. Seamer (£567 18s.), L. Driscoll (£574), Watts Bros. (£617), J. H. Meyer and Co. (£627 165.), Parkin Bros. (£680), H. H. Knight (£639), M. Browman (£628), A. E. Hurrell (£840), Jones and Cameron (£S9S 10s.). It was resolved that applications bo invited for tho position of masseur on the honorarv staff. Tho ventilation and lighting of tho Nurses' Homo is to be improved by a skylight. The committee which was set up by the board to make inquiries and report- as to the econoinio | working of tho Hospital presented ita report at tho meeting, but time did not permit of its being dealt with, and discussion was held over until next- meeting. The: committee comprised tho chairman of tho board '(Rev. W. A. Evans), chairman of the Hospital Committee (Mr. J. Smith), Medieal Superintendent (Dr. Hardwick Smith), the secretary (Mr. J. Coyle), and house steward (Mr. L. 11. Fox). The report dealt in detail with tho condition of affairs existing in tho House Steward's Department, Engineering Department, lqtchen, garden, laundry, Fabric Department, Nurses' Home, dispensary, etc. Among other things, tho report stated that "tho kitchen is not satisfactory. The food is well cooked and wholesome, but the scientific value of foodstuffs is not considered in tho dietary of patients." Concerning other departments, the report voiced nothing in tho nature of a complaint, but recommendations for improvements were made. In dealing with tho Houso Steward s Department, the committee recommends tho institution of a main store, sufficiently largo to contain goods for all departments, and to be run on lines suggested. ' In regard to the Hospital cooking, tho committee recommends "that the kitchen bo That a dietition bo apnointed to superintend tho cooking of tho foorl, and a femalo staff be employed. The nurses would then learn invalid cooking ill tho Hospital." For tho improvement of the laundry, tho committee advises, "That, a man, who has expert knowledge of laundry work and laundry machinery, be appointed in charge. That a foul linenwasher be procured—by that- means much of the foul linen from the wards can bo washed instead of by hand in the ward sink-rooms. That a housekeeper bo appointed, and it be part of her duties to undertake tho work of the assistant matron in respect to the laundry." Another interesting recommendation is /'that- at some future date a lady dispenser he-appointed with female assistants, in order that the nurses may learn dispensary as part of their training." Instead of obtaining fabrics by contract from a local firm, tho committee suggests that the main lines be obtained from Home, and stored in bulk. Minor alterations are rccommendcd in the management of several of the other departments.