HOSPITAL CONTROL

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1932, Page 2

HOSPITAL CONTROL

THE WESTLAND BOARD

MR BREEZE AGAIN CHAIRMAN

The Westland Hospital Board met last evening fvhc.n there were present; Messrs G. Davidson, W. A. Jamieson, R. Meharry, W. Jeffries, W. H. Evenden, H. Wells, T. W. Duff and -the secretary (Mr T. W. Bruce). ■ Mr Jeffries moved that Mr Breeze be re-elected chairman for the ensuing term. He thought that this would be unanimous, and ' regretted that Mr Breeze was in ill-heatlh. AIr # Breeze Jiad been' a' tower of strength to the Board and it was to be hoped that hft would be soon restored to health. Mr Duff seconded the motion which was carried.

A motion of sympathy with Mr Breeze in his illness was carried. Mr Jeffries was appointed chairman for the evening, and lie extended a welcome to Mr Jamieson who had taken Air A. 11. Elcock’-s place. The Board was faced with a difficult year and he was sure members would work well together in their humanitarian work. Mr Jamieson briefly acknowledged the members’ welcome, to him. It was decided that a hearty vote of appreciation and thanks he accorded Mr' El cock for his past services as a member of the Board. Tim D!roetor-GMu‘rrtl of Health requeued particulars of savings in expenses by 'reductions* in 'salaries and \wages, compared with last year. The secretary reported that a saving of £263 had been effected. A further letter- was received requesting all Boards to decline to give aid to able, bodied unemployed men who refused to work under any of the Board's schemes, or who went on strike. The letter was received. Sundry correspondence and matters dealing "with the forthcoming annual conference, including the agenda paner. were received. The remits for the conference were read to the meeting, and sixteen, of .interest to the Board, were referred to the Board’s: delegate, Mr Davidsonto support ot- Wellington, including one from Westland, suggesting ' that it be a recommendation to the National Provident,Fund to pay interest on deposits held for nurses who are obliged to withdraw from the scheme. Mr Davidson said that with the number of nurses engaged by the Board, the interest would amount to £42;. : ; The County Council wrote-notifying the appointment of delegates to represent the County.—Received. <• The Bullet-. Board wrote- asking particulars of amounts paid by the Westland Board 'in unemployment relief.--The secretary s’ action in supplying the informatoin was approved. The appointment of Nurse* Fowler as matron in ch >rgo of the maternity home was recognised ,H*>d f . The resignation of -Sister Strongman, i-atron of the Westland Hospital, was accepted with regret. The Chairman said—the Matron had been with them for about three years, and lie wa-s sure members would agree that'she had dene very good work during tljat time. . . " , Mr Jamieson paid tribute to the Matron's services.' Itwjvas decided to call for applications/to fill the position, to close on June -21st. Mte» Simpson wrote resigning her position as housemaid.-— Accepted. The Surgeon Superintendent reported al'dbllow: -In hospital on Ist. May, hi.; admitted during May, 38; total treated, 64; discharged cured, 32; discharged relieved, 1; died, 2; remaining in hospital 31-st; May, 29; receiving treatment for two months or

over, 15. Mr Davidson, on behalf of the House Committee, reported that certain re-

pairs were needed at. the Maternity Home, and suggested that the washing of the Home, be done at the Westland . Hospital.—Received. The matter of repairs to the woodwork was left with Mr Heenan to attend to and Mr Davidson to attend to arrangemeets for washing. Accounts aggregating £236 7s 5d were passed for payment. V The secretary reported receipts totalled £4BB 2s 6d, expenditure £483 18s Bd, there bein<r a debit balance of £323 18+ 3d. The Board considered the estimates for the coining year«-which includes a proposed increase in the levy by the contributing , of £367. ~ , Tile secretary read the following telegram from the Health Department suggesting economy:—-“Letter despatched to-day requesting increase- of patients fees, estimates £2OO, decrease hospital maintenance £4OO, and minor adjustments, which should decrease net requirements approximately to £5305 and levy to £2335.”

The Clinifman questioned the Board’s ability to carry out the suggestions made.

Finally it was resolved to adopt the estimates as prepared.

Mr H. Wells was authorised to sign cheques in place of Air Elcock.