WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1924, Page 1

WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

* 'WEDNESDAY, OCT. loth

The Board met at S.Tb p.m. Present:—Messrs J. -I. Breeze (Chairman), \V. .Jeffries, E. A. Molls, A. B. Spiers, It. Meharry, T. W. Duff, (J. Davidson. Apologv was made for the absence ot Messrs Morel ivud Blaim. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INM AUI) 'COB 1!BSI’ON IWONCIS. Prom Hospitals Department, "Wellington, granting advance of £IOOO, on subsidy.—Deceived. Front Same asking for rot urns.—Be ceived. From Sumo, re training of nurses.— Received.

From Land and Income Tax Department, asking for list of contracts. — Received and supplied. From Public Trust Office, re a charge for maintenance. —Deceived. From Exhibition 'Committee offering some hediug and quilts.— Deceived. From A. W. Peebles, Doss, forwarding C 25, medical association contributions and £0 .'ls Id from Borough Council.—Deceived. From Sporting and Dramatic Magazine offering to supply hack numbers for use at hospital.—Deceived and accepted. From F. J. Singer, resigning position as assistant hiltndrynian.--Deceived and ac; opted. From A. L. .Tones .applying for holiday leave. — Deceived and request granted.

From F. Cochrane, apply for annual leave.- Deceived and request granted. From X. M'ylie, . hutiidryman, notifying damage to piston.—Deceived; referred to .Mr Davidson for attention. From Miss M. Warnoclt enquiry as to hospital at Otira. Deceived and replied to. From Nurse Scott, asking for furniture to he sent on as soon as possible. Deceived. DEPORTS. From Surgeon-Superintendent reporting for September there were patients us follows:-

iii hospital on .'list. August, 111 males, 17 females— IS; admitted during Sept. 17 males. lb females—32. 'Total treated IS males, til’ females—Bo. Discharged cured 10 males, 18 females—•Jß; discharged, relieved 8 males, J female—o; died I ieniale. lot a I discharged IS males, I I females— 88. In hospital OOtli. Sept. .'lO males IS females.—lS. In hospital for two months I I males, 8 females—JO.— Received. CHAIRMAN'S REDOUT..

.[ have the honour to report on my attendance at the recent Conference at which the Hon. the Minister of Health gave an address. The Agenda was practically carried with the exception of altering election of members method.

The outstanding features of Hie Conference was on the lines of the preservation of the general health of the- community especially children of school age. Particular attention was given to the question of teeth. Dr. limiter, Dental Clinic, lectured on the importance of good tectli and on the training of Dental muses, for which the Beards-will have to |:.-y. Maternity Nurses arc being trained for residence in the various districts which Boards must maintain, tho Boards getting the Joes. The Conference unanimously cariied the I 'elisions scheme for hospital 'employees. lb.- Boards to i uni riluilo to I lie scheme. MV have already agreed U> centrilnile U-i'V-A Hospital Board Association was formed,'tiie annual subscription not to exceed I /1I>“7,1>“7, of the maintenance of Hospitals. Our contribution will mil he more than about £7 per annum. This was readily adopted by the Conference. A prolonged discussion took place on the Community Hospitals establishment in Ihe four centres for the t reatnienl of special diseases. This question was adopted and the prevalent idea, wan lo treat special diseases in the best possible modern niiiiiuer irrespective of the consideration of cost. Alter a very lively discussion on the question of Medical examination of every person, it was mianiinoiisly carried. . The Conference was a success in its entirety and will result in great good to the Dominion. Judging by the general trend of the Conference discussion ii appears imperative that the costs ot Hospitals will materially increase and did not appear lo concern the various delegates.—Received. The Chairman was accorded a vote of thanks for his attendance and report, oil tin: motion of Messrs Davidson and Spiers. The .Secretary read the annual balance sheet which was formally adopted. FINANGTAL. v The Secretary submitted a report of the progress of receipts and expenditure for the, past half year.—Received. Mr Jeffries in the course of a. discussion expressed his appreciation oT the lucid statement submitted and commented on several of the extraordinary increases, and staled that the Board should give the Secretaiy every assistance in the * efforts being made to •enforce payment of the out-Handiiig maintenance accounts. If the Board worked together, he hoped that at the end of flic financial year the financial position of the Board would have become normal again so that there would not have to ho an increase in the levy on local bodies.

.Mr Dud' stated lie appreciated tlio statement presented, which he was glad to have in view of his not being able to attend the meetings for Rome time. He. urged every possible attention lining given to the collection of the maintenance accounts.

Mr Davidson said they had been swayed by sentiment in"“the past, hut now they were forced to push hard for payment, so as to meet the demand on their finances. Mr Wells sai<i lie had got quite a shock at last meeting when he found the drift that had taken place. They wyre up against it and must push for payment of the outstanding accounts for maintenance. .They should sue for all amounts without fail. The Board then resolved into Committee to consider the outstanding accounts and resolved to take immediate action in a majority 'of tlio cases. The House Committee reported having visited the Hospital: recommending alterations in the staff with a view to economy, acknowledging parcel of books from Stafford Literary Institution and donation of 3 doz. of ale from Mr If. Finch.—Received and adopted. Mr E. Gifford was appointed assistant laundryman at C 3 10s per week. The recommendations in regard to retrenchment were approved The Finance Committee recommended payment of accounts amounting to £420 Os.—Received and adopted. The Treasurer reported receipts £2128 16s; payments £1214 4s; debit balance £345 4s 2d. Building fund expendi-

ture £ll2B 4s 7d. Credit balance £B4 2s 3d.—Received. The next meeting was fixed for November 10th. The Board rose after 11 p.m.