HOSPITAL BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2391, 1 December 1881, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARD.

Tho ordinary meeting of tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held on Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock. Present—Mr H. Thomson (chairman), Messrs J. G. Hawkes, the Mayor of Sydenham, Dr. Turnbull and Mr E. (3. J. Stevens.

The Hospital committee reported as follows :—“ The Hospital committee has the honor to report that daring the fortnight ending 26tb November twenty-three patients were admitted into tho Hospital, and twentyseven discharged, leaving sixty-seven patients in the institution. During the same period one death occurred. For the corresponding period of last year there were sixty patients in the Hospital. The committee recommends that an attendance book be kept at the Hospital for the staff attending to sign, this regulation to come in force after the next election. The committee reminds the Board that it will be necessary to advertise the annual election of the staff for the period ending 31st December, 1882.” The report was adopted. Tho secretary reported that the letter from the house surgeon of November 14tb, which had been referred to the Hospital committee, boro the following endorsement :—“The memo, furnished to the house surgeon on 22nd October sufficiently points out the irregularities which the committee requested Dr. Meikle to explain, but which he failed to do to the satisfaction of the committee.” The endorsement of the committee was approved, and a copy ordered to be forwarded to Dr, Meikle.

The Board then proceeded to the appointment of a bouse surgeon.—The Chairman stated that four applications for the position had been received, and referred for the opinion of the medical staff, who had reported that all of the applications were from very eligible medical men. On the motion of Mr Hawkes, seconded by Dr. Turnbull, the application of Dr. B. Robinson was accepted.— The Secretary read a telegram from the Colonial Secretary, stating that the Government did not object to increasing the salary of the matron to £IOO, as proposed.—Mr Hawkes wished it to be understood before the applications for this appointment were opened, that the additional salary would only be paid on condition of proved efficiency. The Chairman agreed that that was the understanding. Four applications were received. After some discussion they were referred to the house committee to report, and if necessary to call a special meeting. The following letter was received from the house surgeon : In my return of patients I omitted to remark that John Steele was found drowned in the bath at 4.30 yesterday morning. As it might bo inconvenient to keep the bath room door locked, I recommend that the water be made to turn on with a key, which could be kept by the nurse. — I am, &c. t

A. F. J. Mbikle. The following letter was reed from the coroner :

Coroner’a Office, Christchurch, November 28th, 1831. To the Chairman of the Hospital Board. Sir, —At an inquest held by me at the Christchurch Hospital this day, upon the body of John Steele, who was found drowned in a bath at the Hospital, on Sunday morning, the jury, through their foreman, requested me to inform the Board that titty were of opinion that the bathroom should be kept locked, and the key left in charge of the nurse, so that patients should not have access to it except when ordered to do so I have, &c, John W. J. Coward, J.P., Coroner.

It was decided to acknowledge the receipt of the letter, and to state that the matter would be taken into consideration.

It was reported that there were no patients in the Akaroa Hospital or in the casual ward at Lyttelton. The Board dealt with some charitable aid cases, and then adjourned.