THE HOSPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2037, 23 March 1907, Page 2

THE HOSPITAL.

Tho Hospital Trustees met at the Hospital last night. Present: The Lion. Captain Tucker (in tho chair), and Messrs. Matthows, Lysnur, Bright, McDonald, and Harding. The Treasurer’s report to March 22 showed that the receipts lor tho past month were £267 13s lid, made up as follows:—Patients’ fees £3l 11s, subscriptions V. Lardelli £2 2s, amount at credit in the Bank £231 0s lid. Accounts amounting to £sl were passed on March Ist and on March 22nd £BB 2s 2d.

A cheque for £l7 Os lor fees on behalf of Mary Brimmer was received from tho Auckland Hospital Hoard, who asked for payment ol an account of £l6 19s 2d owing to them. 'l’he Secretary said he had replied that he knew nothing ol tho account which probably was against the Cook Hospital anil Charitable Aid Board. Four enquiries were received from medical gentlemen regarding the position of medical superintendent.

Mr. Kenway, one of tho visiting committee, reported, by letter, that he. had visited the Hospital and found overythig satisfactory, no complaints being made. He considered that, the nurses should be provided with separate sleeping apartments, so that they would not bo disturbed while sleeping when other nurses dame off duty. He also mentioned the matter of the gardener’s wages. —Mr. Harding said the gardener was just the man for the work. —It was decided that the man’s wages bo increased by 5s per week.

The matter of the sleeping quarters of the night nurses was discussed.— Mr. Harding said it was hardly fair to have the night nurses sleeping in the nurses’ home and keeping all the other nurses away therefrom. It had been proposed that a detached room should be built for the night nurses. Tho Secretary said the Hospital Department always insisted that if possible each nurse should have a room to herself. —The Chairman proposed that a small cottage of two rooms be provided for the night nurses, estimates to lie, placed before next meeting.—The proposition was agreed to, and the Chairman and Messrs. Matthews and Harding were appointed to look after the building.

Mr. Lysuar asked if it was not too much to expect nurses to be on duty for twelve hours at a stretch.—Mr. Bright said the hours would be too long if it was continuous work, but it was not. —Mr. Harding said that in his experience of the Hospital he had never heard of a nurse being over-worked. —The Chairman said the best idea was to get details of the practice at other Hospitals—if it was good in their case it would be good for Gisborne. —Air Harding wanted to know why this matter was being gone into when there was no complaint.—The matter dropped. The Visiting Committee for the ensuing month is to consist of the Chairman and Messrs. Kenway and Lysuar.

The Chairman reported that after a long conference with Dr. Valintino, Inspector-General of- Hospitals, the doctor had decided to send a letter on the matter. He proposed that the Trustees be called together a fortnight after its reception.—lt was thought that the letter was not important enough to warrant a special meeting.—The matter was dropped. The meeting then adjourned.