HOSPITAL CONTROL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20052, 26 September 1939, Page 2

HOSPITAL CONTROL

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS NURSES ON SICK LEAVE STAFFING AT ANNEXE Yesterday afternoon’s meeting of the Cook Hospital Board was briefer than any of the recent monthly gatherings, but a considerable amount of work of general interest was accomplished, including the .discussion and adoption of a scheme for making out-patient treatment available to indigent people through a scheme of co-operation with the British Medical Association. Those present at the meeting were Mr. M. T. Traflord, chairman, Mesdames A. E. Beer, E. R. Black and E. R. Scott, and Messrs. S. T. Gray, H. J. F. Tombleson, F. G. Bellerby, G. D. Muirhead, Hy. Cooper, and H. Adair. Leave of absence was granted to Dr. J. C. Collins and Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P.

On the request of the Gisborne brunch of the New Zealand Dental Association, Mr. J. G. Cox was appointed to the list of honorary dental officers at the hospital. The St. John Ambulance Association forwarded notice of its agreement to the renewal of the arrangement with the board for ambulance work for another year. The finance committee recommended that Dr. R. X. MacDonald, at present junior house .surgeon, be appointed senior house surgeon for 1940. The committee also recommended an appointment to the junior house surgeon’s post, subject to the applicant qualifying in- the examinations now in prospect. Services For Boiler Block

The committee approved of placing orders for material and carrying out work on underground cables for power service to the new boiler-house block, at a total cost of £7O. Payment of £SO to the Post and Telegraph Department for underground telephone wires was approved. In view of the difficulty found in staffing the maternity home, as indicated in a report from the lady superintendent, the committee recommended that a permanent night sister and an additional trainee be appointed immediately. The treasurer, Mr. C. A. Harries, reported that the debit balance in the general account on August 31, 1939, Was £1421. Expenditure for the month totalled £7303, and receipts were £5882. Patients’ fees yielded £1635 for the month.

The medical superintendent, Dr. R. J. B. Hall, reported that the number of patients in the hospital had increased again, from 149 on August 1 to 160 on August 31, 12 of the latter cases being infectious. Fifteen babies were born in the Cook Maternity Home in August. Staff Members and Leave The lady superintendent, Miss G. M. Leipst, reported that Sisters Cantwell and Goulstone, and Nurses Gibson, O’Connor and Dysart were on annual leave, Staff Nurse Middleton and Nurses Murphy, Maher and Salt having returned from furlough. Nurses Rapley and Stewart were on sick leave on September 11. The weekly day off was not satisfactory at present, the matron added, extra nurses having been required at the isolation block and two specials in the main building. Sister Ward had resigned as from October 9 and Miss M. Hurlstone had been appointed as hospital aid in the maternity annexe.

Gifts of books and periodicals were acknowledged toy Miss Leipst, the donors being Mr. and Mrs. Underwood, Mr. R. J. Clark, Mr. Cameron, the Victoria League, 2ZM Club, and four anonymous donors. Mrs. W. G. Shcrratr and Mr. M. B, Mander were thanked for gifts of flowers. The custodian ol‘ the Memorial Home, Mr. S. W. Garlcy, reported that 5!) elderly people, including li women, remained in the home on September 4.