WESTLAND HOSPITALS AMD CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1917, Page 4

WESTLAND HOSPITALS AMD CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14th

The "Boat'd met at 7.00. P-m----mt Messrs l J, Breeze ((Chairman) 11. Wald, A. Clifton, A. Hutchison and G; H. Blank. The minutes were read and connrmect and outward corresppndencp approved. IN WAD I) CODItE^BO^pTENCE. From Inspector of Hospitals, Wellington approving of change of status of Kumara hospital being altered.—-Ite- ' From public Works Department, Otira, forwarding quarterly cheque for £37 10s. towards upkeep of Otira hospi tail. —Received. . . . .... From a parent stating Ins inability to provide any portion of the lnaintenanco of bis children—Received; referred to Secretary to reply to. Fj. 0 m Christchurch llosffital Board m connection with the admission of a Westland patient. —Received action oi Chairman in guaranteeing payment was approved. zz*Frrfin Cashmere Ulill Sanitormm stating female shelter was available a Wostlimd patient having left.—Received. The action of the Chairman in authorising the admission of a patient wa s approved. From a resident of Flokitiku applying for assistance. —Deceived, the action of .Mr. Blank in the matter was approved. from Nurse Smith, Kumara iii reference to carrying out of duties at hospital.—Received ; action taken approved.

From Hokitika Borough C’puneil forwarding amended valuation oi Board’s reserve property—Received. From Dr. Chesson, Christchurch applying for authority for forwarding on returned soldier to Dunedin.—Received. Reply sent considered satisfactory by Dr. Chesson.

From Valuer General forwarding amended Valuation. —Received. From W. FI. Chinn, Matainui forwarding a voluutanv contribution of £4.—Received with thanks. Fr 0 m Inspector-General of Hospitals Wellington, stating he considered the Board was entitled to charge more for operations carried out at hospital if so desired, but it would not lie right to allow the medical officer to make the financial arrangements privately with patients for tho carrying out of operations.—Received; Mr. Wild stated that he had asked for enquiries to be made on the subject ns the result of a conversation with Dr. Toiohelninn on the subject of attendances on patients well to do. In view of the reply received no action could he taken.

From Dr. Chesson, Christchurch, declining payment fof operations on recruits, unless authorised by the Department.—Received.

Mr. Wild moved that in view of the letter the former resolution of the jq o ard to treat, recruits free of charge, at the Hospital lie rescinded.—Seconded by the Chairman and carried. Two applications from residents of Ross for aid were received and granted at £1 for the mouth for one, and £1 10s for the other. ,

Fromm F. Gibb, W’aikukupa replying to questions raised hv Mr. J. Ritchie in h is letter to the-Board on the subject of the South Westland nurse, and explaining his action in the matter. —Received.

From James Ritchie, Bruce Bay, on same subject and stating that if another appointment of a nurse was inade shiv should he bound to remain twelve months, and stating accommodation for the nurse could he obtained at Mr. J. Condon’s Maintain. —Received. From Robert Ireland, Kumara, stating ho was not going to look after the pigs unless his salary was promptly paid.—Received : the Secretary reported satisfactory arrangements Jjacl been made •-

From W. E. Phillips, thanking Board for appointment of his wife and himself to Kumara as Matron and Master.—• Received.

From Totara Committee forwarding accounts £2O 2s fid; enclosing resignation of Miss O’Callaghan housemaid —Received and accepted. From Otira Committee enclosing receipts £l4 3s fid, enclosing a number of demands for payments on residents for services rendered by Dr. Fleming, —Received; bold over till next meeting.

From A ’Warwick Otira, asking for eon sideration for medical expenses incurred .when lie had sent his wife to Hokitika for treatment instead of incurring the expense of having Dr. Tciehehnann brought to Otira.—Received, consideration deferred to next meeting. From Mrs. James, Kumara asking for grant of salary in lieu of holiday due before leaving Kumara Hospital.— Received and two week’s pay granted.

From IV, E. Richards asking for share of printing work.—Received. From Inspector of Hospitals, Welling tqn in reference to representation on Board.—Received. From Mrs E. Pereiyal, an applicant for position for district nurse in'south Westland forwarding testimonials —Received.

Mr, Wild moved that Mrs Pereival bo appointed (subject to approval of tlio Minister, and if he disapproves, fresh applications to be invited in Australia), at a salary of £250 to cover all expenses, a fee of 10s por day, with freo board and lodging to bo charged by the Board for the use of the services of tho nurse. Seconded by Mr. Clifton am] carried.

From'Matron Little in connection with payments to the staff for special services during the illness of member* of tho staff.—Received anti grants made as recommended.

From Medical officers reporting case I of pytliisis in South Westland, entpric ] at Mental Hospital ttnd scarlet fever at I Kumara.—Received : referred to Sec- * rotary.

The question of tfealing witji tenders j fiir drapery supplies yas referred to . the Chairman and sfr. Rruce tp attend

A grant to a resideut of Ross ivas prado for tho month. It was resolved to disclaim liability for charge for motor car to convey patents from Kumara, made by Mr. Spiers, not authorised by Board. Consideration of outstanding accounts pas given and f\yo debtors selected to he sued as an example, the, attention of the others to lie' drawn to the action being taken.

Accounts amounting to £BB9 8s Gd were passed for payment. REPORTS. From Treasurer reporting receipts, £1733 9s 7fl; payments £BB2 fis Id; debit balance £lO9l 3s fid. Subsidy received on account of Westland Hospital Rulding Fund £219 11s 2d.— Received.

The Treasurer further reported the six months ended on July 31st. the receipts totalled £4yfiß' 16s Id and ex-, pomUiure £4074 lls Od. Excess of re-' coipts over expenditure for period £494 Is Id.—Received. » j In reply to a query by the Chairman tho Secretary stated thattlie Westland Hospital Building Fund nqw stood at over £2,600.' ' ;

From Surgeon Superintendent, Westland Hospital, reporting for month, stating there were 39 patients on June 30th, admitted during July 12 males, 6 females. Total treated 39 males IB females—s 7. Discharged cured 3 males, 3 females, relieved 1 male 1 female. Died 6 males and 1 female. 'Total discharged 10 males, 8 females, —18. In hospital on 31st July. 29 males, 10 females—39. In hospital for : two months and upwards 19 males, 4 females—23. —Received.

. From House Committee Westland Hospital, reporting on a number of requirements and recommending the application of the ward small for an increase of salary lie granted of £10;.to £9O per annum.—Received. The requirements were authorised and consideration of salary increase held over till next meeting. CONDITIONS AT KUMARA. From W. E. Phillips, master of Kumara Hospital reporting as follows:—• ARs Phillips and myself took up our duties as matron and master on Aug. Ist. There were 28 inmates, 27 males and 1 female, all old age pensioners. The beds and bedding generally were very bad indeed. I was very much surprised at trained nurses having such in their charge. Many of the mattresses could be stuffed into a pillow slip, and many of the pillows could he stuffed into a .coat pocket. • Only one bed had two sheets on (the female patient’s) and there was very little linen in the press or wash. Half of the bedding was nothing but dirty rubbish. Gentlemen, T bog to he excused for wrting in-this strain, hut cannot help it. The housemaid’s^work was well done.

On the present bedsteads we have, we need ns least six wire matresses as the kapok mattresses work through between the laths. Several of the bedsteads are covered with hoards to keep tho mattress from working through.

There are several leaks in the roof and nearly all the hot water and the high pressure taps are unworkable. We need a plumber hero for about two days If we want a bucketful of hot water we stand it under; the leak and then leave it for a while.

To write a list of necessaries would ho a long one,, but we will do our best to repair the losses gradually, so you may not feel the expense-too much.— Received, Authority was given for tho mattresses required and the Secretary to arrange for a plumber to give attention to tho water supply. The Chairman reported that it had been found necessary to send some more old age pensioners from Westland Hospital to Kumara and before doing so it was found necessary to provide a quantity of bedding, blankets etc., which had been arranged for. The Board rose at 11 p.m,