THAMES HOSPITAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4821, 11 March 1925, Page 3

THAMES HOSPITAL.

MEETING OF BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Thames ■ Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held at Thames on Monday, the chairman (Mr W. E. Hale) presiding pvcr the following: Messiis W. J. Hall, j W. Danby, G Death, A. R. Robinson, P. E. Brenan, C. W. Kennedy, H. L. Berney, E. N. Miller, and the secretary, Mr G. Tonge. APPOINTMENT APPROVED. The' Minister for Public Health wrote approving of the appointment of Sister K. M. Ansenne as matron. HOUSE MANAGERS. 15 The Department of Health wrote advising that the department was laying down a policy that in institutions r „ which exceeded one hundred beds house managers should be appointed. To meet with the demand for persons suitable for such appointments arrangements were being made at King George V. Hospital, Rotorua, for the training of suitable persons, and the board would be expected to avail itself of the services of such trained men. It was decided to keep the matter . in view, but at the present, time ’ house mnaager was not necessary. COLLECTING MAORI FEES. The Department -pf Health wrote 'with reference to a resolution to the effect that where Maorit Land B-ni.’ds held moneys on behalf of natives who _ owed fees to any hospital board, the president of the land board be given power to pay such money over to the hospital board. The department advsied that the matter had been referred to the Under-Secretary of the Native Department, who ’’plied that such arrangements could no .doubt be made by the various hospital boards affected with the relative Maori Land Boards in cases where moneys were held on behalf of natives who might ■ owe for treatment. CONCESSIONS TO SOLDIERS. 'rhe Minister in charge pf War Funds wrote in connection with the payment made by the trustees of the Hauraki District Comforts Committee Fund to the board on the understanding that a concession of five per cent, would be made to returned soldiers and their dependants if accounts were paid within 28 days from date of discharge from hospital. He stated that the arrangement did -not appear to be a matter for his approval. The letter al'O 'stated that the effect of that was •“ that no special .concession was given to returned soldiers in accordance with the original arrangements. The chairman 'explained that the matter related to the money subscribed by the public for the Paeroa hospital. INFECTIOUS DISEASES. The- Medical Officer of Health, Auckland, wrote stating that he understood the board’s available accommodation for infectious diseases con's isled of two shelters in the garden, and that at the present time verandahs and annexes to general wards Juul to be utilised. The positon was considered very unsatisfactory by the department from all points of view, and the board was recommended to consider the provision of suitable a'e- ; commodation for cases of infectious diseases. Mr Danby paid that tlie letter should ■strengthen the hands of. the board in making representations to the department for . assistance. ‘ The chairman agreed; and said that the accommodation had been soreiy taxed owing to the increasing number of infantile paralysis’ patients. PAEROA HOSPITAL. The Hauraki Plains County Council advised that it had lodged an appeal under section 44 of the Act against • the board’s assessment on the ground that the proposed-expenditure was not- warranted. The Thames County Council wrote stating that it objected to the proposed work for the Paeroa maternity and casualty hospital being proceeded with. The chairman said that before the work of erecting the hospital could be proceeded with the objections would have to be forwarded to the Minister. In reply to Mr Danby the chairman said that if the Minister gave his consent to the erection of the hospital the local bodies concerned would have to pay their share of the levy. A portion of the Act relating to the lodging of an appeal was read by the chairman. ' Mr Kennedy said he did not see how the Minister could reasonably uphold the appeals of tire two local bodies. Mr Brenan thought that the work had been held up too long already, ;; and the board should do all in its ’ power to push on with the work. The objections of the two local bodies were not sound or reasonable. He moved that the board’s case be presented to the Minister, with a request that approval be granted for the calling of tenders. .■ Mr Kennedy seconded. Mr Miller said that the board needed to be careful that the Minister did / not sanction the calling of tenders and . then allow the two objecting local bodies to drop out. The chairman agreed with the resolution, and said it would draw from the Minister his decision. Mr Danby stated that new mid not . be a party to the resolution unless the money for the erection was assured. Mr Miller thought it would be better to amend the resolution to read that the Minister expedite the matter •by making his decision known. Mr Kennedy said he did not favour any alteration to the resolution. Mr Brenan said he would not alter : his resolution, contending that the board- was not committing itself in • any way. ■r The resolution, unaltered, wq.s carried. PREPARING OF PLANS. Mr E. E. Gillman, architect, Paeroa, wrote advising that the plans tor the LA alternative wood structure were almost cbmpleted, and the specifications were now being drafted. The plans

for the alternative in brick were in hand, although requiring to be a complete set in themselves. Another set of specifications would not take so long to prepare, and would be forwarded as soon as possible. ■USE OF AMBULANCE. The Thames Trotting Club applied for the use of the hospital ambulance at tlie racecourse on April 4. Mr Death thought that some charge should be made for the use of the ambulance, the upkeep of which was fairly heavy. The chairman said he did not favour a charge being made. If an accident happened on the racecourse the ambulance would have to go out and nothing would be heard of a charge. It was resolved to grant the use of th<* ambulance subject to the chib paying the wages of the driver and the cost of benzine and lubricating oil. A similar application from the Ohinemuri Jockey Club for M,arch 14 and 17 was also granted. EXTERMINATION OF INSECTS. J. N. Malkus, Auckland, wrote statin? that he would guarantee to rid the kitchens in both the hospital and the homes of cockroaches for £l5 15s, and guarantee that no cockroaches would appear -within two years. The chairman intimated that the cockroaches were particiildi y bad at the Homes. It was resolved that in accordance with a personal interview with the secretary the offer be accepted .at a sum of £lO 10s. Mr Brenan said that rather tha.i the cockroaches should not be got rid of, the difference in the quotations might be split. If that position arose, it -was resolved that the chairman he empowered to act. resignation. The resignation of Sister LundoA was accepted from the date of the meeting. BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. The Hauraki Ladies’ Benevolent Society forwarded accounts amounting to £ll 16s Bd, and asked for a cheque for that sum. —Granted. CONFERENCE. The Director-General of Health advised that a conference of hospital boards had been arranged to meet in Wellington on March 25 for the purpose of discussing the medical staffing of hospitals, and advised that two members be deputed to attend, Mr Hall thought than in view of the state of the board’s finances it might not be advisable to send two delegates. ■ The chairman considered* it necessary that the small hospital boards should be represented, and so be in a position to hold their end up with the larger boards. Also, there, were often matters of importance that arose which affected the smaller boards-but did not concern the larger boards. Mr Brenan thought the board should be represented, and that the larger boards should not have matters all their own way. It was resolved that at least one delegate from the board attend the conference. INVITATION. The Waikino Old Boys’ Association forwarded an invitation to its annual re-union to be held at Waikino on March 27. Mr. Kennedy contended that it was a duty of the board to attend and get in touch with the Waikino people. The question of representatives was left in the hands of the chairman. SUPERINTENDENT RESIGNS. Dr. D. A. Bathgate, medical superintendent, wrote as follows : — "I wish to apply to be relieved from my duties as medical superintendent at the end of. this present month. My private affaire will not allow me to wait for the return of Dr. Ritchie. 1 regret that 1 am unable to stay the full time, but have made satisfactory arrangements for a locum in niy stead. I wish to thank the board as a whole for’ the support and help it has given me, and to state that the staff at present in the institution is one that any board might feel pleased to have. I also wish to thank the board for its testimonial, and trust that many happy and successful years are in store for the Thames Hospital.” —The resignation was accepted as from February 28. NON-CONSUMERS - RATE. The Thames Valley Power Board forwarded two demands tor payment of non-consumers’ rate. It was decided to return the demands and advise that hospital boards did not pay rates. ' STAFF VACANCY. Mr Danby asked what steps were being taken to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation pf Sijster Lundon. He pointed out that it was necessary for the staff to be kept up to full strength. The. matter was referred to the hospital committee tor a conference with the matron. ISOLATION BLOCK. Mr Brenan asked if the board proposed to provide a new laundry and isolation ward during tlie coming financial year, and said that the responsibility of the buildings, or otherwise, should be thrown on the contributing local bodies. He was not prepared to sit a»s a member of the board and hear its administration criticised by local bodies which objected to contribute. Mr Kennedy said the difficulty was to ascertain what attitude the local boides would adopt in the event of a decision to go on with the buildings.

The chairman said that as soon as further particulars were available regarding the cost of an isolation block the matter would be again considered, and, if practicable, the buildings would be included in the new year’s estimates. Mr Brenan said he realised that the local bodies concerned had the right to object, but it was useless for the board to go to the trouble and expense of preparing plans and specifications if the support was not forthcoming from the contributory bodies. Mr Danby again stressed the urgent need of an isolation block, and contended that the question of building

had to be faced by the board. He thought that eome of the opposition shown was possibly due to ignorance. It was resolved that the hospital committee go fully into the question in conjunction with the medical supernitendent and bring down a report at the next meeting. COMMITTEES. The following committees were set up for the ensuing month: Homes, Messrs Berney and Hall; Hospital, Messrs Brenan and Robinson. ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £1294 18s 6d were passed for payment REPORTS. Hospital.—The resident Surgeon (Dr. D. A. Bathgate) reported for the month ended February 28 as follows : Number of patients admitted, 45 males and 39 females; number discharged, 34 males and 41 females; remaining at date, 40 males and 28 females ; outpatients, 10 males and 3 females ; attendance on put-patients, 75 males and X females; number of operations, 26 males and 25 females. Five cases of infantile paralysis were admitted during the month, all being children; also six ca§*es of typhoid fever, one of measles, and one of scarlet fever were admitted. The majority of the cases of infantile paralysis were of a severe type, but are progressing satisfactorily. The services of a masseuse would be invaluable ijn the in-; stitution, not only for the paralysis cases, but for fractured limb cases. The problem of isolation for infectious diseases is still an acute one. Five deaths occurred during the month.

Mr Hall, for the hospital committee, said he wished to draw attention to the need for extra accommodation for infectious cases..

The chairman suggested that the delegates who were selected to attend the conference should take the matter up with the Director-General and ascertain what assistance could be

given. Homes.—The superintendent of th* District Homes, Tararu (Mr W. D. Gilmore) reported that 3 males had been admitted, one maje discharged, and one male had died. Remaining at date, 21 males and 3 females. The conduct of the inmates had been very good. The pasture feed had gone off, but there was plenty of other feed, and all stock was looking well. One paddock of lucerne, had been harvested, and the recommendation of the board in regard to the pig paddock would be given effect to ajs soon as: possible.

Mr Kennedy said that the report covered the position fully, and he had nothing further to add. rhe report of the sub-committee appointed to go into the matter of increased .production on the farming property was read and adopted.

A committee to control the purchase- and sale of stock, and to generally control the farm production, was set up to act in conjunction with the manager. The committee to comprise the chairman, and Messrs Berney. Kennedy, and Hall. Native Nurse, —Nurse J. M. Jarrett reported that she had attended and advised 39 Maoris during February, and also one Maori maternity case. Lectures had been given on infantile paralysis, typhoid fever, and inoculation, and infant feeding. Thirteen pas had been visited, and eight patients removed to the hospital. First inoculation for typhoid fever numbered 78, and second inoculations numbered 49. Fees collected totalled £2 Os 6d.

District Nurse. —Nurse McNamara, Patclonga, reported having attended 19 patients, totalling 39 attendances during February. Fee collected totalled £2 17s 6d.

Plant. —The engineer (Mr A. M. Somerville) reported that his plant was in good working order. The total coal consumption for the month, wais 26 tons 13cwt.

Maternity Annexe.—Two babies were bom during February. One patient remained at the end of tne month,