THAMES HOSPITAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4809, 11 February 1925, Page 2

THAMES HOSPITAL.

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Thames Hospital Board was held at Thames oh Monday, the chairman, Mr W. E. Hale, presiding over Messrs J. W. Danby, W. J. Hall, E. N. Miller, C. W. Kennedy, P. E. Brenan, A. R. Robinsno, and the secretary, Mr G. Tonge. HOUSE SURGEON. The Director-General, of Public Health wrote approving of the appointment of Dr. F. Rich-Smale as house surgeon. PAEROA HOSPITAL The Director-General of Health wrote in reply to an inquiry and stated that the plan submitted by the department of the proposed Paeroa maternity hospital carried the department’s approval, and when the completed plains and specifications were forwarded the consent of the Minister would be sought The board’s proposal to spread the levy over a period of two years was agreed to by the department. RESOLUTIONS |OF CONFERENCE. The Health Department forwarded a copy of resolution., passed by the conference of delegates of hospital boards in October Isat. CLOSING OF STREETS. An extract from the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public -Bodies Empowering Act of last session relative to the closing of certain streets in connection with the proposed maternity hospital at Paeroa was forwarded by the Health Department. SANATORIA BEDS. The -Medical Officer for Healtn, Auckland, advised that at Pukepra Sanatorium there were fifty-one beds vacant. USE OF AMBULANCE. The Thames Jockey Club wrote ex- ■ pressing thanks to the board for the use of its ambulance on the recent race days at Parawai. EXTRA LEVY. The Oliinemuri County Council forwarded a cheque for £l7B 6s in payment of the first year’s levy towards the cost of the maternity hospital at Paeroa. BENEVOLENT FUND. The Hauraki Ladies’ Benevolent Society forwarded accounts totalling £l9 5s and requested a cheque for that amount. —Granted. PAEROA HOSPITAL PLANS. Mr E. E. Gillman, architect, Paeroa, wrote advising that it would take a month to prepare plans and specifications, alternatively in brick and wood, for the Paeroa maternity hospital, and expressed regret that he could not have them ready.in time for the board meeting.

The secretary said it had not been possible to give the architect longer notice, owing to the departments’ delay i.’.l forwarding authority.

KEREPEEHI HOSPITAL SITE. Tho hon. secretary of the Kerepeehi Hospital Site Fund wrote asking if the title of the hospital isite had been .taken over by the board, and inquiring what policy it was proposed to adopt in utilising the site for the purpose for which it was subscribed. The board was asked to bear the cost of erecting abqjit ten chains of fencing on the western boundary. In 1 eply to Mr Kennedy the chairman said that if the fence was erected for the protection of the adjoining property he did not think that tho board w.as liable. , Mr Kennedy contended that’ the board was liable for half cost, provided notice to fence had been served on the hoard. The chairman said that the fence was on Crown land, and in any case the title had not been completed. It was decided to reply that the money had been forwarded to the Lands Office and a receipt received, but the title had not been handed over. With regard to the fencing, it was resolved not to recognise any liability in connection with fencing erected prior to the board* taking over the property. . The chairman remarked that the boa r d had no policy to lay down for the Kerepeehi hospital, and that the erection of a building there could not be- entertained at present, but the claims of the district would receive every consideration in due course. ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £lOl6 0s 9d were passed for payment. The following committees were appointed for the month: Tararu Homes, Messrs Robinson and Kennedy ; Hospital. Messrs Hall and Berney. RESIDENT SURGEON’S REPORT. The resident surgeon, Dr. D. A. Bathgate, reported that one caise of infantile paralysis had been admitted from Whangamata. Also cases of diphtheria, one case of measles, one case of eripileas, and two cases of influenza had been admitted during the month of January. The work of the institution had been very heavy during the month. There were 76 genera! anaesthetic cases and a number of cases of infectious diseases. There was an urgent need for an inereawe of staff, and there was no nurse to relieve for holidays or sickness. Three new probationers were needed, and in the near future another sister. Three deaths occurred during the month Thirty-two male and 32 female patients were in the institution at the beginning of the motith, and 48 males and 46 females had been discharged. The out-patients numbered 17 maleis and IO females. Out-patients attended to numbered 88 males and ]C females. During January 29 males and 38 females had been operated on in hospital. ACTING-MATRON’S REPORT. The acting-matron, Sister K. M. Anseiine, reported that during January Sister Dean had resigned and Sister Landon had been appointed. During the last two months the staff bad .worked from 9 to 12 hours, and sometimes longer, and the hospital was being worked with a bare minimum of nurses. Two more probationers were urgently required. Mr Brenan said it had been brought