THAMES HOSPITAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4600, 12 September 1923, Page 2

THAMES HOSPITAL.

MONTHLY MIEETING OF. BOARD. The monthly meeting of the. Thames Hospital Board was held on Monday last. Present: Messrs W. EHale (chairman), W. J. Hall, H. LBerney, W. Kennedy, D. McKay, J. WDanby, p. E. Brenan, G. Leath, and the secretary, Mr G. Tonge. Leave of absence was granted Messrs Baker and Robinson. AMENDMENT BILL. The Auckland Hospital Board wired as follows : “Request you strenuously oppose clause Hospitals Amendment. Bill re supervision of appointments. Department’s poll icy seems to be increase responsibility and lessen authority of boards.” The secretary said that he had wired Messrs Poland, Rhodes, and Massey. The chairman said that he was surprised to see in the newspapers that the attitude' of the Auckland Board had changed. HOUSE SURGEON. The Director-General of Health wrote approving of the appointment of Dr. E. R. Lang as house surgeon. THE SPAHLINGERi TREATMENT. The Director-General of Health forwarded information, in regard to the Spahlinger treatment for tuberculosis.—Received. DEFAULTING HUSBANDS. The Director-General of Health wrote forwarding a copy of regulations dealing with defaulting h usds and fathers. —Received. The South Canterbury Hospital Board wrote forwarding a copy of a resolution and asking if the Board wpuld, if it approved of the principle embodied in it, approach its representative in Parliament with a view to influencing the Government to take action. The resolution read: “That this Board is strongly of the opinion that the Government should at once take steps to estblisfr an institution to which able-bodied men, wife deserters, and others who fail to support their wives and families should be sent, and made to do useful wora for which the Government will pay, such earnings to be devoted to the maintenance of the dependants of such men: this Board is of the further opinion that the large proportion of charitable aid annually paid out tp such families is ample justification for such a measure.” The secretary said that the Board had approved of such a resolution 18 months ago, and it was decided on Mr Kennedy’s motion to notify the South Canterbury Board accordingly. KEREPEEHI HOSPITAL SITE. The Commissioner of Crpwn Lands, Auckland,, wrote asking whether the Board was in a position to complete the purchase of section 5, block VIII.. Kerepeehi township, which matter had been held in abeyance pending the collection of the money from the Hospital Committee at Kerepeehi. The secretary said that he had been in communication with the secretary of .the Kerepeehi Committee but. had not yet received a reply. I’he chairman said that the money ’ had been collected. The matter had been hanging fire for a considerable time, and unless something was done the section would be lost. Mr Brenan moved that the secretary write and lay the matter before the Kerepeehi Committee and state that if the matter was not squared up before the next meeting the Board would notify the Commissioner of Crown Land,s that the Board would not require the section. The motion was seconded by the chairman and carried. DISTRICT NURSE. Mr Brenan reported that satisfactory arrangements had been made for billeting Nurse Jarrett, the district nurse, at Paeroa. RESIGNATIONS. Nurse M. Potterton wrote tendering her resignation. The chairman said that the nurse had desired to gelt, away and he had accepted the resignation. His action was approved. The fact that a number of resignations had been sent in was, discussed at length. The chairman pointed out that many left to get training in other branches. Mr Hall said that when the maternity home was completed nurses would be able to obtain all training at Thames and an improvement might be noticed. Mr Danby suggested that in future the reasons why resignations were tendered should be investigated,, with a' view to improving the conditions of service if necessary. Chas. Wah wrote resigning his position, as cook owing to ilLheaiWi and advancing years. The secretary said that Wah was going back to China. The resignation was accepted. The matron wrote suggesting tjiat a certain Japanese be appointed in hi? place. The secretary said that this would be advisable, as he was a suitable man. If they appointed a white man and he proved a. good cook local hotel-keepers would offer him extra wages to cook for the hotel- ; LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Nurse N. Miller applied for four months’ leave of absence owing co ill-health. The chairman said that the doctor had recommended the application. leave was granted. The hon. secretary of the Hauraki Ladies’ Benevolent Society whote enclosing a list of accounts passed for payment and asking that the Board forward a cheque for £lo'. —Granted. REPORTS. The following reports were submitted and adopted:— The Resident Surgeon reported that Nurses Potterton and Miller were ill and off duty. Fire extinguishers had arrived and been installed. The removal of the partition between the children’s ward and verandah was almost completed, and greatly improved the ward. Three deaths had occurred during the month: one female, aged 17, appendicitis; one male, 70 years, senile decay and heart failure ; and one male child, premature birth-

Mr, Danby,, on behalf of the Visiting Committee, reported that the staff was working under considerable presrure owing to the prevalence of influenza. The committee recommended certain improvements to the children’s wards, the house surgeon’s rooms, the doctor’s office, and the accident ward. They recommended disposing of the old X-ray plant as there was no further use for it. They suggested that night visiting with the exception. of Wednesday evenings be cut, out for a month to relieve the staff during the present very busy period. The engineer reported that everything in his department was in satisfactory order. Forty-nine tons of coal had been received during the month. The superintendent of the District Homes, Tararu, reported that three men and one woman had been admitted during the month. One man had been discharged and one had died. The conduct was very good. The farm garden and grounds were looking well. The stock was in good condition. Mr Kennedy, on behalf of the Visiting Committee,, reported that everything was in first-class order at the homes. He recommended the purchasing of a pedigree boar. The stock was all in good order. Mr Hall said that be could purchase a suitable boar, and the matter was left in his hands. The farm-hand was granted annual leave. The Native Nurse, Paeroa, reported that she had visited three Maori Pas and had made visits to 15 patients. The District Nurse, Patetonga, reported that she had attended 15 patients during <the month and had collected £2. Members commented on the fact of the small amount of fees collected. The chairman said that the Patetonga people were under the impression that, having made arrangements, for ’t,he nurse’s board their liability ceased. ' It was decided to ask . the nurse to endeavour to. collect more fees. The relieving officer reported having paid several small amounts of charitable aid. MATERNITY HOME. Mr Danby said that the contractor should be asked to state the date when t,he building would be fit for use, so that the Board could advertise the fact to enable patients to make arrangements accordingly. The matter was left in the hands of the chairman and secretary. COMMITTEES. The following were appointed visiting committees for the ensuing month Hospital, Messrs Baker and M°Kay; Homes, Messrs Hall and Berney.