THAMES HOSPITAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4698, 14 May 1924, Page 4

THAMES HOSPITAL.

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING. The regular meeting; of the Thames Hospital Board was held on Monday, Mr W. E. Hale (chairman) presiding over Messrs E, N. Miller, D. McKay, JI. L. Bcrney, W. Kennedy, P. E. Brenan, and J. W. Dauby. The secretary, Mr G. Tpnge, was in attendance. LOCAL BODY LEVIES. The Director-General of Health forwarded a circular relating to an amendment to the Act which provided that interest shall be paid by local bodies to the board on any amount remaining uniiaid after 14 days Irom the date due. The rate for the current year was 7 per cent. ESTIMATES. The secretary of the Department of Health wrote informing that the Estimates for the year 1924-5 had been approved. They were as follows : Maintenance levy, £3561 19s 3d ; Maintenance subsidy (22s Id), £3933 5s 9d ; total, £7495 ss. Capital, levy. £592 4s Id ; Capital subsidy, £592 4s Id. Total, £llB4 8s 2d: AMBULANCE STRETCHERS. The secretary ‘ of the Waitakariiru Football Club wrote thanking Die board for having granted an ambulance stretcher for use at Waitakariiru. ' The stretcher had .been delivered into the care of Mr Stretton. Mr W. G. Hayward also wrote thanking the board for the Ngatea stretcher, which was at present in his care. KEREPEEHI HOSPITAL. Mr \V. Booth, secretary of the Hospital Site Fund Committee, Kerepeehi, wrote slating that lime and expense prevented members of the committee visiting Thames to examine the correspondence on the hospital site question, a'- suggested by the board. He suggested that copies of the letters be sent. The chairman said that there was a big pile of correspondence in the office. A copy of all the letters had been sent to the late secretary upon receipt. Mr Dunby thought the board was "beating the air,’’ as a responsible officer had turned down the application for the subsidy. The chairman was of the opinion that efforts to obtain the site should not be relaxed. The proposed site was a splendid one, and unless secured shortly it might lie lost. It would be revenue producing until required for a hospital. The secretary was instructed to ascertain from the Kerepeehi committee what .letters were in their possession so that the, others could be supplied. ' .. PATETONGA NURSE. Mr E. F. Wilkin forwarded a cheque

for £25, being a half-year’s contribution from the residents of Patetonga district towards the accommodation of the district nurse. The secretary reported that he intended applying for the subsidy as soon as possible. COLLECTION OE ACCOUNTS. A Waikato firm wrote offering its services to collect outstanding accounts. The chairman said that the boaid appeared to get on very well. Mr Kennedy pointed out that the Waikato Hospital Board had collected an enormous amount of overdue fees. The chairman replied that that bm.rd had an enormous sum on its books. CHARITABLE AID. The secretary of the Hauraki Ladies’ Benevolent Society wrote asking for a cheque for £lO. —Granted. STAFF MATTERS. Miss M. H. Tomlinson and Mls,s MM. Elliot wrote resigning their positions as probationer nurses. The chairman reported having interviewed the matron in regard to gelling them to remain on the staff. The matter was left in the hands Of the chairman, with power to act. Miss Hanson, Hamilton, wrote informing the board when she could take up duties as sister in the maternity annex. The chairman said that the appointment of the sister had been left to the Nurses Committee and this woman, who was very well recommended, had been chosen. The action of the committee was confirmed. The chairman reported that’ the board was endeavouring to secure a sister with maternity qualifications to take the place of Sister Robinsoa in the women’s ward. This would be desirable, as it would enable a qualified woman to be available to take the place of the maternity annex sister at a moment's notice if necessary. However, women with these dual qualifications were rare. The whole staffing question was a difficult one. Probationers and qualified nurses were difficult to obtain. PAEROA HOSPITAL. The chairman reported that the Local Committee had had a long interview with Mr Gillman in regard to the proposed hospital al Paeroa, and Mr Gillman had promised a rough plan for the next meeting. REPORTS. . The resident surgeon. Dr. D. A. Bathgate, reported that during the month 43 males and 25 females had been admitted. Four males had died and 38 males and 28 females were discharged, leaving 22 males and 17 females in the institution. Fifteen outpatients had been treated, 192 attendances made, and 36 operations

performed. Two cases of diphtheria had been admitted.- Four of the new probationers had completed their three, months' trial and passed their examination. He recommended that they be asked to sign on the staff. They were Nurses Elliot, Barke I ', Tomlinson, and Temple. Sister Robinson left to take up other duties on April 30. It was decided to ask the probationers to sign on the staff. The Visiting Committee reported that everything in the institution was satisfactory. The engineer reported on the running repairs carried out during the month, and stated that the consumption of coal was 23 tons 12cwt. The matron. Miss M. Smith, reported at length on staff matters. Nurse N. Tukukino would sit for the medical part and Nurses Bell, and Coad for the whole of the State examination this month. Four junior pupils sat for their preliminary examinations. Nurses Barker and Elliot did very well, gaining 95 per cent, and 94 percent.. respectively. Nurse Tomlinson gain 84 per cent, and Nitric Icmplc 64 per cent. A pass is usually considered 50 per cent. The superintendent of the District Homes Tararu. reported that one male had been admitted during the month, bringing the total to 18 men and 5 women. Their conduct was very good. The farm garden and grounds were looking well, and there was plenty of feed. On oehalf pf the Visiting Committee Mr McKay reported that everything appeared to be satisfactory. He recommended that sundry articles be supplied and repaired. it was decided to have the cow purchased during the month tested with the tuberculin test. Nurse Henry. Paeroa, reported having attended four Europeans and 33 Maoris. Fourteen pas had been visited and lectures given on cleanliness. Nurfe McNamara, Patetonga, reported having visited 14 patients during the month and collecting £1 5s tn fees. The relieving officer reported on tlic charitable aid granted during the month, from Thames, Tirohia, ami Waikino. The reports were adopted. COMMITTEES. The committees for the month were appointed as follows : Homes, Messrs Kennedy'and Berney; Hospital, Messrs Messrs Miller and McKay.