HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2191, 21 September 1907, Page 1

HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

The monthly meeting of tlie Hospital Trustees was held last night. Present : The Hon. Captain Tucker (in the chair), and Messrs MacDonald, Matthews, Kemvay, Slierratt, Lysnar, Bright, and Dewing. REPORTS. The Treasurer’s report to September 20tli showed that tlie receipts totalled £384 17s 4d, including the district board’s requisition of £350. The expenditure was £571 4s sd, showing a debit balance of £lB6 7s Id. Outstandiig were £350 for tlie district board due on September 30th. and £278 14s lOd for general accounts. The Secretary’s report showed that 32 persons were in the Hospital at last report. Since then 35 had been admitted, 29 discharged, and 2 died, leaving 36 in the institution at date. The Visiting Committee reported that- erection of rails on the verandah and laying of drains authorised last meeting had been carried out. — For the next month Captain Tucker and Messrs Matthews and Lysnar will act as the visiting committee. TENDERS FOR SUPPLIES.

The tender of Mr. 4V. A. O’Meara was accepted for groceries; Mr. O’Sullivan’s for milk; Mr. Harries tor meat; for bread, Mr. Erskine; coal, Mr. Bourke; firewood, Mr. Benson.

IMPROVEMENTS ASICED FOR. Dr. Schumacher waited on the Trustees with a letter from the honorary medical staff regarding improvements required. The improvements chiefly concerned the operating theatre. A sterilising room was also asked for, in addition to a registered nurse for the operating theatre. It was proposed that this be supplied by appointing a registered nurse when the next vacancy occurred on the staff, instead of appointing an unregistered nurse. Two rooms required would need a space 30 feet by lo feet. The staff asked that all the improvements should he made—it was no use doing only one part. Dr. Schumachor said that it would he well to know before they carried out these works if the operating theatre would always be in its present position Apart from the rooms the new plant would cost about £l5O. Mr. Bright- moved that the medical staff be asked to supply the Trustees with an architect’s plan of the buildings required .—Carried. Dr. Schumacher said there were certain parts of the plant which it would be well to- get at once. It was decided that a liigli-pressure steriliser be acquired at once. HOUSE SURGEON. The outward correspondence included replies to a number of medical mon Who ashed for particulars as to tlio house surgeon’s iiosition, all being referred to Dr. Valmtine. The Chairman reported on an interview in Wellington with Dr. Brett, the new house surgeon. Dr. Brett was in attendance. Some discussion ensued oil the matter of housing.—lt was decided to make an allowance of £2 per week for housing for the liouso surgeon.

Dr. Bretl bed that t-lio provision in his engu: ment holding him not to open ill private- practice ill Gisborne for three years after leaving tho Hospital be repealed, and two years substituted. —It was decided to consult the honorary staff on tho matter. THE NURSING STAFF. Mr. Matthews moved that the present matron of tho Hospital of the Hospital be appointed lady superintendent, and that a certificated nurse bo appointed head nurse, and that tho nursing be in charge of the house surgeon. Mr. Matthews said that in doing this he felt he was only carrying out tho ideas of tho whole of the Trustees. The motion was carried. Mr. Ken way asked that when there is a vacancy, Dr. Valintino should be asked to nominate a certificated nurse for the position of head nurse. Mr. Bright thought the present nurses should first be considered. It was decided that tho Visiting Committee should make a recommendation on the matter at next meeting. VISITING COMMITTEE. Mr. Matthews proposed that the whole of the Trustees be made tlie Visiting Committee, so that they might all visit* the Hospital and get thoroughly conversant with matters. Mr. Bright said ho thought although a Trustee was not on the Visiting Committee he was still able to visit the Hospital when ho so wished.

The Chairman said to make visiting everybody’s business would make it nobody’s. It was finally decided to make no change.