HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1932, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARD

WESTLAND MEDICAL SERVICES.

A meeting of the town members of tli© Westland Hospital Board was held last evening when there were present Messrs W. Jeffri.es (chairman), G. Davidson, T. W. Buff, E. W. Heenan, H. Wells, M, Keenan and the Rev. H. J. W. Knights. ‘ Mr McMillan waited on the meeting stating th.jt he was prepared to submit a price for doing the hospital laundry work. :

It vva,s pointed out that the Hospital ran its own laundry which supplied the institution’s hot water system.

It was decided that Mr McMillan confer Mr Davidson further on the matter, and later submit a price. A deputation from the Harihari and Wataroa Medical Fund, consisting of Messrs J. Cloher (chairman), and T; Nolan (secretary), waited on tine meeting to see what assistance the Board was prepared to give for the maintenance of a doctor in the district.

After a very protracted discussion on the matter the. chairman made a definite offer to the deputation that the Board could find no more than £IOO per annum provided' the settlers found £2OO per annum. As soon fib this assurance was forthcoming from the, Medical Fund, the Board would call for applications for a doctor at £3OO per annum, with the right' to private practice. ; The Board felt dure that it would 'receive several good applications at that' figure. The chairman stated that during the, past four years the subscriptions to th© Medical Fund had amounted to £7BO, as follow:—1928-29 £200; 192930 £200; 1930-31 £200; 1931-32 £IBO. These amounts carried a £1 for £1 subsidy from the Government, totalling £7BO. The amount-paid by the Board during that period was £393 11s 3d. The chairman also pointed out that on last,year’s treatment of patients from South Westland there was £246 12s outstanding in patients’ fees, while the igum of £369 0s lOd was also outstanding in the Cashmere sanitorium fees.

A letter was received l from the Ku■malra Medical Association, stating that arrangements had been made for Dr. Page to carry on at a reduced salary, the Board to pay the rates and insurance -of the cottage, and to supply a new tank as requested. The letter was adopted and the arrangements confirmed 1 . ,

Th© recommendation of the matron thiat a lipen room be ' established through which the whole of the linen supply should pass, was agreed to.