WESTLAND HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1920, Page 4

WESTLAND HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

.MONDAY, JUNE 28tli, 1920.

The Hoard met at 8 p.m. Present— AL< issrs It. Wild (cbanman), G. H. Blank, G. Davidson, IC. A. Weils, J. J. Iiloose, 1,. H. Morel and T. it. Chestorman. Tho minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

Prom Dr Valintine, Wellington, asking for-'-copy of diet scale lor patients and nurses, it used. Notifying rate ol payment by Defence Department lor retained soldiers, inmates ol hospitals, will bo the same as charged lor ordinary patients.—-Received. From Health Department', Wellington, re payments to epidemic widows and widowers jaskiug lor further particulars of estimates.—Received. From Public Trust Office, Wellington, forwarding balance in estate ol a deceased pa t i ent. —Roec i v ed. From Dr. Blaekmord, Christchurch, stating the Board’s two shelters wore engaged, and stating there was uo room at present for another patient asked for.—Received. From North Canterbury Board, asking Board to guarantee payment for an inmate at Sanatorium. —Received, the ,Secretary’s reply was approved, which pointed out the patient had been a resident of Canterbury all her life, except for a period of 2(1 months in Hokitika. - From W. Duncan and Co., stating the necessary action was being taken to complete purchase of All PoynUn’s sections. —Received. From Utira Committee, forwarding contributions.—Received.

From Grey Board, notifying an indigent case front Westland district. — Received. Mr Breeze moved that the Grey Board be informed that this Board accepts no liability, as the applicant had recourse against her husband's estate through the law court; seconded by Air Wells, and carried. From several Boards, promising assistance in urging on matters discussed at Conference.—Received.

From R. Burrell, Kuniarn, • reporting on applications for assistance.—Received, and approved. From .Master, Old People’s Home, Kumara, reporting on conditions of .the Home.—Received,

From Nurse Bowie, AVaiho Gorge, regretting her inability to reconsider her resignation as district nurse.—Received, and accepted with regret. It was resolved that tho Department be asked to arrange for the supply of a district nurse for South Westland. From Dr Valintine, Wellington expressing regret at the destruction of Otira Hospital by lire, and asking to be informed of proposed action of the Board.—Received. In connection with thu fire, Air Blank moved that the Otira Committee be asked if they bad anv recommendation to moke as to recompense to the staff for loss sustained by the fire. Seconded by Air Davidson and carried. From Defence Department, AYollington, stating that the first ambulance received in New Zealand would be forwarded.—Received. REPORTS. From Surgeon-Superintendent, Westland Hospital, reporting patients in hospital on Ist .May was 21 males, 1-1 females; admitted, It) males, 4 females; total treated, 31 males, 18 females.—49. Discharged cured, 10 males. 8 females ; died, 2 males. Total discharged, 12 males, 8 females.—2o. In hospital on 31sl May. 19 males, 10 females. Total 29.—Received.

The House Committee reported matters satisfactory at Westland Hospital; nurse Montague was leaving al the end of the week; there was a full staff engaged in installing the electric light fittings at blie institution. —Received and adopted. Accounts amounting to £986 os 2d were passed for payment. From Treasurer, reporting receipts, £llß2 13s 7d, payments £967 19s 9d, dr balance £1314 10s 8d.—Received.

Mr Blank reported that lie had been unable to arrange for local benefits at the present time. Mr Morel reported that arrangements had been put in hand for benefit at both Kokatahi and Koiterangi in July. The chairman reported that the Band were arranging for an art union, for which the first prize would be 20 ounces of gold. Mr Breeze stated he was arranging for a hospital ball in August. The chairman reported in connection with tlie law suit against the Westland Sawmilling Company, in which the timber cut on the Miners’ Reserve was involved, which at Is per 100 would ho-ve amounted to £1046 had been settled out of Court, he having authorised the acceptance of £3OO in full settlement, each side to pay their own costs; that the Board’s would amount to under £4o. iteport received and adopted. The Chairman reported that the Departmental officer (Mr Allen) had paid a visit to site of proposed southern hospital, Totara hospital and also Westland hospital and Obira. He had reported as highly satisfied with the Wailio site, and had made a number of recommendations about the other institutions.—Received. The chairman moved that in view or the report of the inspecting officer, that the Board accept the offer of Mr Searle for 4 acres at Waiho at £6O, and that Messrs Duncan and Co. he authorised to arrange the transfer.—Seconded by Mr Morel and carried.

Messrs Cliesterman and Morel reported, as instructed at a previous meeting, on the advisability of arranging for the Board to carry out its own supply of milk; estimating it would cost about £5 per acre to clear thirty acres, n cost of £l-10. Generally they reported that a considerable amount of improvement would have to be effected before milking operations could be commenced. — Received. The matter was referred to the Chairman to carry out some improvements agreed upon. OTIRA HOSPITAL. The Chairman introduced Dr. Bathgate (medical officer at Otira), Mr W. Robertson (chairman of Otira Committee), and Mr J. D. Gillies (Resident En- j gineer), who waited on the Board to con- i fer in connection with Otira Hospital. ) The Chairman formally stated that ! Otira Hospital had been burnt down '] since last meeting, and had been a total ] loss. The insurances were £6OO on the building and £4OO on the contents. Mr Gillies stated the Department had an eight-roomed cottage alongside the

old site of the hospital, and it might be possible to make that suitable for carrying on us a hospital building. This cottage is at present in occupation by Air Milburn. His idea was to have this building utilised or to have built as soon as possible one of the public convenience buildings to be erected in the new Otira station buildings (a public hall) until such time as it, is required. He thought the present building would be the most suitable, as the building would be only required for about two years. The Department would give every possible assistance in its power to meet tho desires of the Board. The Chairman stated that Mr Allen, a Government inspecting officer, had paid a visit to Hokitika, and had visited Otira.

Mr Roberston stated Mr Allen bad made an inspection, and had reported that the additions required included a ward, theatre and surgery (combined), waiting room and sanitary conveniences, anil that Air Allen estimated the cost at CBOO. Mr Allen was to report to the Health Department. Dr Bathgate said tliev had to consider whether a permanent or temporary hospital should be considered, at is would only he required for about two years. Personally, he urged the Board to get the present house put in proper order, which would then he suitable for carrying on for bile period required. A general discussion followed on a number of matters affecting tho best course to follow. It was stated that it would take nine months to build a now structure.

The Chairman stated what the Board had to consider was whether it was advisable to spend £BOO on a building which would belong to the Public Works Department. Air Gillies stated lie had not the power to hind the Department. After further discussion, Mr Blank moved that the Board approves of the necessary additions being made to the cottage recently occupied by Air Alillitirn, to adopt it for use as u hospital. Seconded by Air Davidson and carried. AJr Davidson moved that power to act in the matter be conferred on the Chairman and Mr Breeze. Seconded by AJr Morel and carried.

It was resolved that Dr Bathgate and Air Robertson be authorised to procure the necessary requirements for the hospital building to enable carrying on as soon us possible.

Matters financial were then discussed with Air Roberston, and it was ultimate-, ]y resolved that the matter of dealing with workers at Arthur’s Pass and any alterations considered advisable to be made at Otira be left in the hands of Mr Robertson and Dr Bathgate, the latter offering to meet the requirements in the matter in a very liberal manner. The Chairman then moved that Mr Gillies, Dr Bathgate and Air Robertson be heartily thanked for their attendance, information and promised support . which the Board deeply approcfcited. Seconded by Mr Breeze and carried.

The visitors acknowledged ‘the vote and withdrew.

INSPECTOR’S REPORT. Dr D. S. Wylie, Inspector of Hospitals, reported as follows on a visit of inspection made to Westland Hospital: I visited the Hokitika Hospital oil the, 17lh Alav with Dr Teiehelmann, the .Medical Superintendent, and have to report as under: —

Grounds.—Could be considerably improved; at present rather ragged in appearance. A fresh gardener has, however, only recently been appointed. Buildings.—Two of the wards, a corridor and operating block are comparatively new. The rest of the institution is housed in an old wooden building which has outlived its usefulness as a hospital building. 1 understand a building scheme is now under consideration to provide a new ward, an administration block and nurses’ home. These are aH certainly required. The newer portion of the building was well kept and clean. The sanitary annexes of the wards require repainting, and a sink room requires re-flooring with Famn or some similar material. The wooden building was clean and well kept. Many things could he done to improve it, hut the expenditure is not warranted in view of the contemplated additions. One wooden ward is reserved for men (lion-surgical) and another one is in use as an isolation ward.

AVards.—Very well kept, orderly and clean. Insufficient cupboard accommodation exists, e.g., for patients’ clothes. Tho verandahs at the ends of the wards are rather narrow and could with advantage extend along part o, tho sides of the building.

Clinical Work.—There were 57 patients in the wards, this number being well below the average, which is about 37. Cases doing well, and well looked a t'tor.

Records and Operatic Register.—Admission and discharge book well kept. An operation register is kept, but it can be improved by the adoption of a better system. This matter T have taken up with the Medical Superintendent direct. Operating Theatre.—Well kept; sufficient for present requirements. Much of the equipment, e.g., tables, instrument cabinet, is of an old and unsuitable type, and could with advantage be replaced by more modern furniture. This the Board should be recommended to do.

X-Ray Department.—ln temporary quarters in the old wooden building. Equipment is sufficient for present requirements, but requires improving, e.g., a better table, viewing box.

Clinical Laboratory.—Work done at Christchurch, which is too far away. This hospital’s requirements emphasise the need for a central laboratory on this Coast, which, in my opinion, should Ire established at Greymouth. Physic-Therapeutic Department. None exists. The services of a Masseuse could he well utilised at this hospital —possibly j to be in with, on a part time basis.

Dispensary.—Well kept. Kitchen.—Very old, but very elean and tidy.

Laundry.—ln an old building; all washing done by hand ; laundry well run. This institution is now becoming large enough to justify the installation of machinery. The laundry would then ho efficient enough to deal with the washing of not- only the Hokitika Hospital, but the 'Old Men’s Home at Kumara as well. Nurses’ Home. —The nurses are accommodated in a portion of the wooden building. Their sitting room accomodation is not good; in other ways it is

poor, and a fresh nurses’ home is corLainly required. Jn view of the certain agricultural progress and development of Westland, J consider that the building programme now under consideration by this Board should certainly be carried out, and that their attention should be drawn to the necessity of providing the equipment and executing blie maintenance work mentioned in this report.

Received. Consideration of the recommendations were deferred, the Chairman of blie House Committee to confer with Dr Teiehelmann as to' the necessity ol certain requirements recommended being secured, and to submit an estimate of cost.

It was resolved to congratulate tlie Dr and Staff generally on the excellence of the report submitted, and to convey the appreciation of members.

.MASSEUSES FOR CIVIL HOSPITALS Dr T. H. A. Valintine, InspectorGeneral of Hospitals wrote : As the time lias come when blie services of a certain number of well-trained masseuses are becoming available ior employment in civil hospitals, owing to t!ie gradually diminishing demands being made on their services by the military hospitals, those hospital boards who desire fco obtain the services (either part or whole time) of a masseuse should communicate with the Alatron-in-Chief, N.Z.A.N.S., Wellington, as soon as possible. They should state the following: (1) Whether a part or a full time masseuse is required; V2) proposed salary. For the information of hospital boards generally, it may be stated that the following minimum salaries should be offered: (1) Whole time, (a) living in £IOO per annum, (l>) living out 017.5 per annum ; (2) part time, £IOO, but the amount to be offered must depend on the amount of outside pfrivate work likely to be obtainable. Received. The Chairman stated that the .circular had been shown to Dr Teiehelmann, who had put a foot-note on:—Not required at present; stall deals with cases requiring massage. A discussion followed, the Chairman suggesting that the Grey Board should be approached with a view to : “ ting together in the matter. Air Breeze objected to further expense at the present time. Ultimately it was resolved to defer consideration till next meeting, the Grey Board to be approached meanwhile on the subject.. The Board roe nsb 11.10 p.m.