HOSPITAL BOARD

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 812, 29 January 1903, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD

MR XOLAN RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN.

The ordinary meeting the Hospital Board was held last evening, when the following members were present: —Messrs Nolan, Johnston, Wallis, Dewing, Warren, Joyce, and Muefarlane. On the motion of Mr Johnston, seconded by Mr Joyce, Mr Xolan was reelected Chairman for the vear.

Both the mover and seconder of the motion made pleasing reference to the services rendered to the Hospital by Mr Xolan, and stated that they did not think it possible to get a belter Chairman.

Mr Xolan, in acknowledging the honor conferred upon him, said that he hoped the Board wouid continue in the same happy manner as in the past.

MOXTHLY REPORT. The monthly report showed that there were 21 patients in the Hospital. Fifteen had been admitted and- nine discharged during the month, and there had been ono death. The Chairman said the average was the same as that for January of the previous year. The average for the whole year was 23, the highest being in March and April, when there wero 27 patients in the institution. FINAXCE.

The Treasurer’s report showed the debtor balance to be L‘32 10s. The Chairman said this was most satisfactory, the finances being in a better state at present than they had been for some time. The Charitable Aid contributions had been paid up.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES’ FEES. The question of the amount charged to members of Friendly Societies was then discussed, the matter having been postponed from the previous meeting. The Chairman said that unless the auiouut the Board was likely to lose was made up by the Societies, he could not see any logical reason for making a reduction. He wanted to see some definite assurance from the Societies that this wouid be done. Mr Maefurlane took the same view of the matter. Mr Johuston said that the amount lost by the Board would be moro than be tnado up in other ways by the Friendly Societies, The Chairman was auxious to deal with the mattor entirely from a business point of view. He did not want the Board to lose by any arrangement that was mado. Mr Wallis tbuught the reduction was being asked fur with the lUea ol am acting members to liiu Friendly Societies. He uid nut see why a reduction should be made to one Society and not anortier. Hi Warren saiU ibat Air Wains was nut viewing the matter m Hie ugni ngut. Tne reUueUuii wus not bei g ..skeii for the iiunun ut attracting lueinoets.

A! i Joyoe pomieu out tiiai llie Hospital Boaru was a public insuuuiuu, and tliey Ua-i nu ilglit to malic a icduetluii to one man arm not to aiiotner. They could not cnarge a member of a Friendly Society one rate and a bushman another. The Board should not be put to a loss in the matter.

Mr Johnston said that payment in the case of members of Friendly Societies would be guaranteed, whilst in other cases there would be considerable losses in regard to patients. Mr Macfarlane said that bushmen as a rule did not have an opportunity of making use of the privileges of a Friendly Society. Mr Joyce wanted to see the Board recompensed for any loss that was likely to occur if a reduction were made. Mr Johnston proposed that a committee should be appointed to meet the representatives of the Friendly Societies, and that a report be submitted at the following meeting, This was agreed to, Messrs Macfarlane, Warren, and tho Chairman being appointed members of the committee.

'' MR WARREN’S MOTION. Mr Warren’s motion that the use of the operating room at the Hospital bo allowed to medical practitioners for major operations, subject to the approval of the Medical Superintendent, was then discussed.

The Chairman pointed out that the motion was in opposition to two of the rules, and until theso were rescinded tho motion oould not be met.

In answer to Mr Joyce the Chairman said that Dr McGregor had expressed himself in opposition to tho request conveyed in Mr Warren’s motion. Mr Macfarlane thought the Board would do well to stick to Dr McGregor’s recommendations.

Mr Wallis : Then you would have us allow Dr McGregor to run the Hospital for us just as he thinks fit ? Mr Macfarlane: Yes; we would be acting wisely in so doing. The Chairman said that in all major operations a second medical man was called in,

Mr Warren thought the attitude taken up by Dr McGregor was tyrannical. He considered that the Hospital should be open to medical men practising in the district, and a patient sent to the Hospital should be allowed to have his own medical man to be in attendance to perform an operation. The Chairman ruling that the motion was opposed to the rules, there was no further discussion.