HOSPITAL BOARD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2937, 24 November 1916, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD

YESTERDAY'S MEETING

The Wellington. Hospital Board met yesterday afternoon. Present: Mr. H. Baldwin (chairman), Mesdames T. M. Wilford and A. M'Vicar, Hev. H. Van Stavcren, and Messrs. B. G. 11. Burn F. Castle, D. Campbell, W. Galloway, J. W. M'Ewan, F. T. Moore, G. Nash, and J. Smith. Reports of Committees. Tho Hospital Committee reported that special thanks were due to the Hutt Patriotic Guild for its kindness in presenting a "spinal ambulance" for the use of patients at tho Victoria Military Hospital. During; the month of Octolicr six patients had been admitted to the Otaki Sanatorium and seven discharged, leaving 18 under treatment. The dental branch reported that during October 93 out-patients bad been treated, in addition to 19 in-patients. These numbers had included 20 recruits. The fees received by cash had amounted to £42 Us. 3d. The Charitable Aid Committee reported that the outdoor relief for tha month of October had shown a decrease in comparison with tho corresponding months of the two,preceding years. The daily average number of persons receiving aid had been 207, as against 280 in 1915 and 311 in 19U. The committee had granted G96 rations during the month, and had made cash grants to the amount of .£44. The expenditure on. outdoor and indoor relief for the half-year ended September 30 was .£3007, as against the estimate of £3617. The expenditure showed a decrease or .£852, as compared with' the figures for the first half of tho preceding yea£ The cost of the new isolation ward at the Ohiro Home had been .£525 lGs. Sd. The report of the Public Health Committee 6tated that during the month ended November 7 the inspectors had investigated 27 cases of infectious disease,' and had conducted 60 disinfections. The cases included three cases of cerebrospinal meningitis. ' The reports were adopted. ' Tho accounts for the month, amounting to £8327 IBs. 2d., were pased for payment. They included the following items:—Wellington Hospital, ,£6102 17s. 9d.; Otaki Hospital and Sanatorium, £583; Ohiro-Home, £219; charitable aid, £2358 10s. Gd. Macarthy Home. The board decided that the Macarthy Homo for Convalescent Children should be opened officially about the middle of December. The preparation of the"building had been completed". Filling Nursing Vacancies. A letter was received from the In-spector-General of Hospitals 6tating that as many members of- tho medical and nursing professions were now away, from the Dominion on account of thoir. services being accepted in connection with tho war, the Minister for Hospitals was strongly of opinion that any of the more important vacancies occurring in the institutions should be filled onlv temporarily. "I am sure you will agree that it would bo nnfair to those members of the medical and nursing professions who are now engaged on active service if, from tho very fact of their" patriotism, they are debarred from applying for any position in our institutions that may become vacant in their absence," wrote Dr. Valinhne. 'In this connection I may say that the authorities at Homo have recognised the necessity of protecting the interests of those abroad." Tho suggestion was approved. Military Contractors. Mr. F. T. Moore moved, in accordance with notice: "That no goods be purchased or tender for same accepted from, any firm that has failed to properly' execute a military contract." This motion was seconded by Mrs. M'Vicar, and carried unanimously.