HOSPITAL BOARD.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1912, 21 November 1913, Page 11

HOSPITAL BOARD.

THE MONTHLY WMIM. PLEA FOR A GYNAECOLOCtST,

Tho monthly meeting of tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday afternoon. There Were present: The Rev. W. A. Evans, (chairman), Mrs. D. M'Laren, Miss K, Richmond, Dr. Platts-Mills, tho Rev. H. Van Stnveroffi, the Rev. J. K. Elliot, Dr. Mackenzie, Messrs. H. Baldwin, D. Campbell, P. Castle, H.-.'Freeman, W. Galloway,, 0. R. Gardener, D. M'Laren, F. T. Moore, G. Nash, D. Robertson, and J. Smith.

An interesting discussion arose on the following motion by Dr. Wallace Mackenzie:—"That the position of gynaecologist bo added to the honorary staff." In putting forward tho motion, Dr. Mackenzie stated that there, wore a largo number of pases coming to tho hospital. Ho understood that- 73 to 8o per cent, of them were cases that could be dealt with by a gynaecologist. The cases were .operated on by different doctors, but by appointing a specialist more satisfactory results would bo likely. In tho Old Country they had s special dootors for this Work and' special hospitals. The doctors hero (added tho speaker) are' more expert in making pills or potions than in surgical work, if the mooting, considered the rn°t'i orl favourable, the appointment could be made at the beginning of "the year. The Rev, H. 'Vail S'taveren seconded the motion. He thsught that it was essential that they should have, a specialist for these cases, as ■ was the ease elsewhere. H.e. disagreed W'itli tho move*, however, that doctors hero tfe're defi* cient in surgical knowledge. Dr. Mackenzie replied that ho did not mean that the doctors, were deficient in surgical work. What he intended to convey was that they wore not specialists. Dr. Hardwicke-Smith corrected the mover in his state-Blent as to 75 to 80 per cent, of the ease being gynaecologist operations. Only 1-5 of the maje-f operations at the Wellington Hoipital weresuch as could be dealt witu by a gynaecologist. Tho Whole matter, ho said, would be better left over till tho board reappointed its Staff nest March. ■ The Rev. J. K.. Elliot considered that the board should act' mote cautieu.Bl'y in this matter. They should consult the honorary surgeon on the subject. He strongly objected to some- of Dr. Mackenzie's remarks. Dr. Mackenzie replied that he would hot take offence to the previous speaker's words though they had been strongly expressed. Continuing, ho "said that he knew perfectly well that- a good many of the doctors here would not like stieli an appointment as he proposed because it would curtail the number of their patients. By confining all these cases, liowover, to one or' two doctors, the Fpeoai.sation would make th'era -exports in their woik. The motion was then put to tho meeting and lost on the voices.

Nyrses' Op&ratlorf Training. ' A communication Was received from the Inspector-General in reference, to the training of nurses at Wellington Hospital; and the nursing of the patients thoro. Tho .writer stated that he had recently instructed tho assistant-in-spector to discuss with the lady superintendent of Wellington -Hospital some noints in the training of tho nurses and the nursing of patients. Theso were points which appeared to him to need rectification. Its had been remarked, .'stated tio lottct, that on different occasions, when nurses from the Wellington Hospital had been appointed sisters, in some of the country hospitals, they were not able, to carry out the duties expected of them in regard • to operating, work. Tie letter proceeded: "On inquiry it was learned that pupil nurses had no regular training in theatre work during' their 'three years, and that, even if remaining for a fourth year, they did not always get this necessary experience-. It'apparently has been tho practice of nurses attached tp a surgical ward to attend at the theatre and there carry out -some of the loss- important duties during their time off duty. They servo no definite time .under-the theatre sister to be -practically instructed in preparing for an assisting at operations, although. I uttderstand that she gives fhem soma theoretical instruction before they sit for thoir final oxamaiation. 1 believe the nurses are glad to be allowed to attend ! in tho thoatre- -when, off duty, but al- ! though they might on occasion ho allowi ed to watch operations, and tints improve their experience, J consider (much as I dislike the set eight hours' sy&toni) that, allowing work to be performed in this way is an evasion of Section 12& I pf the Hospitals and Charitable -Institution Act, and is. not fulfilling the duty of the board to give' tho training laijl down under tQj-o Nurses' .Registration Act during the statutory term of- three years. Ido not expect, or wish, pupil nurses to be given an important part at major operations, where incompetence might interfere, with tho 'success of the surgeon or prejudice the recovery of tho patient; such larger experience could bo gained later;; but tfottld recommend that each pupil nurse should bo placed for one month 'at least on duty in tho .theatre, to bo fegularly and systematically given practical instruction in clause 8, under surgical nursing of fflie syllabus, and should toko some part in assisting at rninor operations. I understand a. difficulty is encountered in allotting such a term of duty, by tho lack of settkd days or hours of attendance of tho honorary surgeons;for operations, If no better arrangements can bo.made-_m this respect, it would still bo possible for tho pupil nurses detailed to theatre duty for the month to remain on call, ready to attend at the theatre when required. They would not.also have the added strain of ward work, and would be free to go. out when operations were over. I would also draw the attention of the committee to the fact that in each of tho large wards, with patients sleeping on the verandahs and balconies, one night hurso is not-enough to ensure proper nursing or supervision over the patients, and would recommend a junior probationer to he added to tio night -staff for these wards." The letter and a reply framed by the committee to the same were considered in committee. Bequest Received. A cheque for £500 was received from Messrs. Young and Tripo as a bequest from the ostate of the Into W. Finlay. This amount carries sv subsidy from the' Government of 10s. in the £. Other Business. Mr. Gardener brought up tho matter of the admission of patients to the Otaki Sanatorium, the i'eo of £2 2s. a week, he considered, for outside pa-, tients, did not recompense the board. "I protest ugainst receiving patients at such a fee," said Mr. Gardener. The matter was referred to the committee to report upon at next meeting of the board. . On the motion of Mr. Castle, it was unanimously decided to delete the clause in the committee's report to tho effect "that the Horowhomm- and Eastbourne Councils bo charged 1 per cent, interest on their overdue levies," The recommendations of tho committee were otherwise- adopted.