THAMES HOSPITAL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4787, 10 December 1924, Page 1

THAMES HOSPITAL

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING. The regular meeting of, the Thames Hospital Board was held on Monday afternoon, the chairman, Mr W, E. Hale, presiding over Messrs J. W. Da’iby, W. J. Hail, G. Death, ,W. C. Kennedy, H. L. Berney, J. McKay, B. N, Miliband G. Tonge, secretary. PAEROA HOSPITAL. The Director-General of Health forwarded a layout p[an, considered to be an improvement on that submitted by the board’s architect. The plan embodies Dr. Jellett’s ideas on the maternity side, and it w,as hoped that they would meet with the boards approval. rhe chairman pointed out that the had been considerably altered. He wa« of opinion that the cost would be slightly less than the original layout. During the discussion on the position of the board with the architect the chairman pointed out that the department would supply plans foi one per cent, and supervise the election of the building for three per cent., whereas a private architect charged 6 per cent. Members suggested that consideration. oi the matter be deferred until the Paeroa representative on the board was present, and in the meantime that an estimate of the cost of the department’s structure be. obtained from the board’s architect or from the Health Department. The chairman pointde out that the matter should not be delayed, as it was necessary to have it finalised by the time the Estimates for the coming ■year were being considered. It was decided to ask the architect to prepare an estimate of the cost o. the department’s plan and to ask the depariment for details of ts charges for. architect’ fees and supervision. CONDITIONS OF GRANT. The Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, advised receipt of the board’s letter in regard to condition made concerning the Hauraki District Comforts Fund and stated that the matter was receiving consideration. THE PAEROA SITE. The Director-General of Health forwarded a communication from the Under-Secretary for Lands to the effect that upon further consideration the Public Works Department had decided to withdraw its opposition provided a strip 60 links wide was left along the bank of the Ohinemui i River. Authority had been given for the issue of a certificate of title for the land and the closing of portion of certain streets. KEREPEEHI HOSPITAL. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote acknowledging receipt of the board’s letter stating that it had decided to complete the purchase of section 5, Block VIII., Kerepeehi township. He asked for the purchase money, amounting to £290; together with a Crown grant fee of £l, to be forwaided in order that a title could be issued. The chairman said that unfortunately the money had been deposited in the bank and the account had been overdrawn to the limit.'It was decided to forward the money as soon as possible. Mr Dan by pointed out that the Hauraki Plains County was threequarters levy (£1230) overdue and the Thames County two quartres overdue. It was not only the unpaid levies that were embarrassing the board, but also the fact that Government subsidies could nofi be collected until these levies were collected. The finances of the board were in a very serious position, as wages had to oe paid again before Christmas and it could not be seen where the money was coming from. The local bodies collecting hospital rates were using the board as a banker, and representations should be made to the Health Deparrment. The chairman agreed, and moved that communications be sent to the Hauraki Plains and Thames counties, and that the chairman and deputychairman be empowered to act as thought fit. APPRECIATION. A letter was received from a Kerepeehi resident conveying his thanks and appt cciation of the skill and kindness of the nursing staff and the excellent equipment of the maternity annex. AMALGAMATION. The secretary of the Waihi Hospital Board wrote advising that pending the calling of the proposed conference between the two boards by Dr. Valintine the question of amalgamation would stand in abeyance. The DirectorGeneral had advised that he could not call the conference until the latter end of January. HOUSE SURGEON. The house surgeon, Dr. E. R. Lange, wrote tendering his resignation as he had been appointed medical superintendent of the Coromandel hospital. The chairman moved that the resignation be accepted with regie., and that a letter of appreciation oe sent to the doctor. He was very sorry that Dr. Lange was going, but realised tlr.it it was a step upward. Seconded by Mr Hall and carried. Three were received from students at the Dunedin College for the position of house surgeon contingent on passing the examination. The applications were referred to the nurses committee, witli power to make an appointment. ADMISSION TO SANATORIA. A c-rciilar letter was received from

Lhe Director-General of Health enclosing amended forms of application to Government sanatoria, She amendments provided that hospital boards would have to guarantee to pay the cost ol transport back to their districts of discharged patients who were unable to pay the fares themselves. The snaatoria were intended only for cases likely to benefit by a short term of educational treatment, and were not i’or tlie chronic consumptive. An application was received from Mr H. G. Slielljey, Patetonga, for a recommendation to be admitted to the King George V. Hospital at Rotorua. Tlie chairman stated that Mr Shelley had received attention for five months in the hospital and the resident surgeon iiad reported that tlie case was not one that would benefit by the treatment. it was decided that Mr Snelley be again informed of the resident surgeon’s opinion, and that tlie chairman and secretary confer with tlie resident surgeon in regard to another doctor’s opinion. MONTHLY REPORTS. Tlie Hospital.—The resident surgeon. Dr. D. A. Bathgate, reported that GO males and 40 females had been admitted to tlie hospital during tlie month. One male had died of senile heart failure, 57 males and 46 females had been discharged, leaving 33 males and 19 females in the institution. The number of outpatients attended was 21, attendances made totalled 77, and operations performed numbered 37. The matron had resigned and had left on November 2u. sister Ansenne acting as matron since November 20. New screens had been fitted to the theatre windows and the ventilation improved. Filters were requiied in the operating theatre for the sterilisers. Tlie chairman and Mr Death pointed out that at times the town water £tippl ( y was very dirty. The purchase of filters was approved. On behalf of the visiting committee Mr Rennedy reported that the acting matron was carrying on very satisfactorily. . This was endorsed by the chairman. The Homes.—The superintendent of the District Homes, Tararu, reported that one male had been admitted during the month and two discharged, leaving 19 males and 3 females in the institution. The conduct had been very, good, but the increased amount of old-age pension had disturbed and unsettled several of them. Everything about the farm and gardens was doing well. District Nurse.—The Patetonga district) nurse, Miss McNamara, reported having paid 28 visits to 14 patients and collecting £1 5s in fees during the month Application was made for a fortnight’s leave from December 26 — Granted. Chaiitable Aid.—The relieving officer .reported on the charitable aid granted during the month. An amendment io the Widows’ Pensions Act had made the sum received much more: than in the past. Tlie secretary was iiustructed to go carefully into the matter and report to the next meeting. The reports were adopted, ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £1332 were passed for payment when funds permitted. Tlie bank overdraft at present was over £3OO. Authority was given to pay wages before Christmas.