WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1930, Page 2

WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

.MONDAY, JUNE Kitli

The Board met at 8 p.m. Present: Messrs J. J. Breeze 1 , G. Davidson, A. R. Elcocli, R. Meharry, W. Jeffries, \Y. H. Evcnden. M. Keenan. 11. Wells, and T. AY. Duff. An apology was made for the absence ol Mr Turner.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

The Secretary (Mr T. \Y. Bruce) took idle Chair and invited nominations for the position of Chairman. Mr Jeffries moved that. Mr J. J. Breeze ro-e looted Chairman at the same salary as last year of £75 per a nil.! im. Mr Jeffries said they would agree that Mr Breeze l had done yeoman service in the service oi the Board and Hospital Trustees of almost 50 years. He had pleasure in moving the motion and trusted Mr Breeze would accept nomination as Chairman for the ensuing two years Mr Keenan seconded the motion expressing his pleasure at supporting the nomination, recognising the excellent work of Mr Breeze in past years.

Mr Meharry endorsed the remarks of Mr Jeffries and -expressed his pleasure at,Mr Breeze being again nominated

The motion was agreed to with applause. Mr Breeze thanked members for their renewed expression of confidence. For many long years ho had done his utmost to advance the best interests of the "Westland Hospital He was now entering on his fiftieth year of service in the work of the Hospital. He thanked members for their continued confidence.

the Minutes

The minutes were confirmed and correspondence outward approved.

]NW AHD CO RUES PON DEN CK

The Secretary reported in connection with the proposal to close Backland Road that aill the signatories ip the proposed document had been obtained except one. After discussion it was absolved that the' matter be left to the Chairman ail'd"Mr Davidson to coiirplete. ' ' ’

From Department of Health, Wellington, advising the .estimates for llio vear had 1 been approved.—Received. ' :

From Same stating interest on over* due levies shall be 7 per . cent. —Received . ' ' ' 1 ' •

From Same,, in reference to payment of maintenance of T.B. cases.— Received.

From Same, requesting that every care be taken in regard to capital expenditure, and ■ tha t every e n deavou r should !be made to carry on with the* utmost economy in view of the general financial position.—Received.

Fom Same, notifying five vacancies at- Otaki sanatorium. —Received,‘ From Same, in reference to' salaries of staffs.—Received,

From Sir ,A Ngftt’a, Native-Minis-ter in regard to a claim for maintenance. "-Received. From Wellington Hospital Board in reference to a patient from that dis triot.—Received. From Buller Hospital Board.- agree mg to pay fees for patient.—-Receiv ed-

From D. Mclntyre. Cashmere. Sana torium in reference to patients for the institution.—Received. From Westland Countv Council approving of closing of Buckland Road —Received

From Dr Fletcher Telford, Christchurch;, notifying a sack of narcissi bulbs forwarded were sent by Sir H. Rhodes.—Received.

From Dr Baxter. Christchurch, in reference to illness of Dr Bell.—Received.

From B. To-pp, President ■ Timber Workers Union, in reference to payment of subsidy, stating same had been paid to the Grey Hospital Board —Received.

The Secretary stated that an error had appeared in a letter appearing in a northern paper which he wished to correct. — It was stated in the paper that only 29 per cent of the fees were collected. The true position was that for the year ended on 31st March, 1928, the fees receivable amounted to 66.8 per cent per occupied bed and for the year ended on 31st March, 1929. it was 62.2 percent. The Chairman asked that the figures he published. From Grey Hospital Board forwarding £l5O on behalf of Timlber Workers Union.—Received with thanks. From Nurse Peters, Christchurch, asking for refund of .superannuation fund payments.—Received. p’om A. and T. Burt, Wellington, notifying steriliser plant ordered iby Ali- Jeffries was going forward by next boat.—Received. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr .Jeffries for attention given.

From State Insurance Department notifying refund of £2l on accident fund owing to no claim having been made in last five years.—Received.

REPORTS

From Surgeon Superintendent, Westland Hospital, reporting patients in hospital on May Ist numbered 1“ males. 14 females—3l. Admitted during Ma.v 26 males, 35 females. Total treated 43 males, 49 females—92. Discharged cured 15 males 25 females: relieved 4 males. 4 females; died 1 male, 1 female. Total discharged 20 males, 30 females—so. In hospital on gist. May, 23 males, 19 females—l2. In hospital for over two months 9 males, 4 females—l3.—Received.

Mr Dull' moved Hint in accordance with the report ol' the Medical {superintendent applications he invited lor the position of a night sister. Seconded by Mr Idle tick and earned Mr Davidson moved that applications he invited tor the position ol wardsman l‘or the Old People’s Home. Seconded I>v Mr defines and carried. The Matron reported on the stall changes and sickness among them during the month and recommended some requirements.—Deceived,

GOMMUTE'S REPORT

In compliance with a resolution passed a.t the last meeting of the Hoard we visited the Hospital this day. and conferred with Dr Hopkins on the subject of T.l> cases in Westland Hospital. The Doctor is of the opinion that provision could be made tit Westland Hospital for (i ot these eases either li,v erection of shelters or by using the Infectious Diseases Ward <permission for which lias this day been applied to Dr Valintine, Health Department, and also a request lor Mr C. S. Allan. Teelmieal Inspector to visit here and confer with this Committee on this matter). Alter considerable discussion the Committee viewed a possible site at the north-east end of Mundl Ward and eunie to the conclusion that with the necessary alterations the Infectious Ward could lie made to meet, the necessities of these present eases. for ■infectious eases, wo could continue to use Manson Ward which has been in constant use for the past five, or six months for Infectious eases. Dr Hopkins states that we can meet these access it ions eases with an additional stuff of two nurses to our present staff, that is, after the alterations mentioned above have been completed, Your Committee considers this would be much more economical than having to maintain these eases in Cashmere Sanatorium.

In conclusion we would ask you to delay further consideration of this matter until the Health Department sanction Mr Allan’s visit to Westland Hospital, after which we will further report to you.— Received and adopted. Accounts amounting to £284 6s 2d were passed lor payment. The Treasurer reported receipts £1(53,2 IPs bd, payments £833 Os Id, credit balance £448 2s-Id.—Received. The next meeting was fixed for July 14th. The Board rose at 9.45 p.m.