AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE EXCHANGE FOR GREY HOSPITAL

Grey River Argus, 11 August 1948, Page 2

AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE EXCHANGE FOR GREY HOSPITAL

Wlhen the automatic telephone exchange is installed in the Grey Hospital, as approved by the Board last evening, it will anticipate the automatic exchange in Greymouth by two years. This was stated by the Managing Secretary, M'r. H. J. W. Watson, who said the Post and Telegraph Department had advised that an automatic telephone exchange, with a 50-point capacity was now available. Mr. Watson said attempts had been made to improve the internal communication of the hospital, and at present six different telephones were linked as a party line. The offer of the Post and Telegraph Department to install an automatic telephone would be the first exchange of its kind in Greymouth, and the cost per year would be £l2O 2s 6d, against the present cost of £lO7 12s 6d. He added that the cost of installing the exchange was not yet available On the question of Hospital administration, Mr. Watson said the Grey Hospital was considered to 'be an under 100-bed hospital, despite the fact that the beds in the Old People’s Home brought it to an over 100-bed hospital. The question was whether the Old People’s Home was to be classified as a subsidiary of the hospital, or a ward of the institution. Mr. J. E. Stokes said it was clear that the beds in the Old People’s Home should have been included in the hospital statistics. The Chairman (Mr. A. Mosley), said he agreed, and added that it was evident that the statistics, as far as occupied beds were concerned, had been framed the wrong way. It was decided to place the position before the Health Departnaent for consideration. It was agreed to consider the question of revising the Board’s by-laws. The Health Department wrote approving in principle, the appointment of a radiologist for Buller, Grey, Inangahua and Westland Hospital Boards. The secretary 1 was authorised to have details of the position and' allocation of costs prepared. The question of recruiting nurses was referred to the Matron and the Secretary of the Board. On the advice of the Hospital Boards’ Association, it was decided to permit nurses to purchase Nurses’ text books if they desire to retain them. The appointment of Dr. W. A. Evans, as House Surgeon for 1949, was approved, provided he passes his examinations. The Surgeon-Superintendent, Dr. S. Barclay, was granted leave to attend a post-graduate surgical course on malignant disease in Christchurch from August 31 to September 3. Sister M. J. Cleary was granted leave on full pay to undergo a Plunket training course with a view to appointment in the Children’s Ward. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. The Surgeon-Superintendent, Dr. S. Barclay, reported that July had been a busy month in all departments. The opening of Hannan Ward had greatly relieved the pressure on beds. Statistical: Patients in hospital at the end of June, 90; Old People’s Home, 27; patients admitted, in July, 170, 2; patients discharged, 167, 2; patients died, 5,0; patients remaining at end of July, 88, 27; total under treatment in July, 260, 29. Physiotherapy department: Outpatients 412. inpatients 139; total, 551. Operating theatre: General 74; E.N.T., 28; dental, 7; orthopaedic, 18; total 127. Bacteriological department: In-patients 169, out-patients 25, other hospitals 19, private doctors 32, nurses 21; total 266. Radiography department: Inpatients 86, out-patients 203, screenings 24, films 413, exposures 508. - MATRON’S REPORT. The Matron (Miss N. P. Moffatt), reported: Commenced duty: Student Nurses J. Mann, R. B. Mathieson, G. I. Meredith, M. C. O’Leary, E. A. Woolley, M. Meikle, M. Y. Meikle, I. K. Sterne. The three last-named arrived from England by the Rangitata. Hannan Ward: Opened on July 12. A successful card party was held in the Nurses’ Home on July 27, the proceeds being handed to the Secretary for the Piano Fund. The tennis court is in perfect order, and the staff are looking forward to a good season. An opening will be held in October. MATERNITY FIGURES. Matron T. N. Hughes, of the McBrearty Annexe, reported:—The following are statistics for July: Number of patients confined 42; number of babies born (including three sets of twins) 45; number of babies in Mcßrearty Annexe during July 49; total number of patients for the month 9.1; number of patients remaining in hospital on July 31 (mothers 18, babies 19), total 37; ante-natal attendances 86.