THAMES HOSPITAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4823, 22 April 1925, Page 1

THAMES HOSPITAL.

MONTHLY REPORTS.

'Die following reports foi; the month of March wejre dealt with at last Wednesday’s meeting of the Thames Hospital Board: —

Hospital.—The resident surgeon, Dr. J. Ritchie, reported as follows: “During the month 41 mal.es. and 35 femalets were admitted to the institution, and 43 males and 38 females were discharged. The operations numbered 53. There were 15 cases of infantile paralysis, nine of typhoid, nad two of diphtheria. Luckliy, the hospital has not been very full, so it has been possible to segregate these cases. An infectious diseases block is, however, urgently needed. I would suggest the purchase of a Balkan Morris frame, which is an almost indispensable) apparatus in dealing with fractmes, of which we treat a great mnay. We require two, but with one for a model the engineer could, I think, be ablq to construct a second.

“Nurses’ Accommodation.— There arc 34 on the staff, for which there are 29 bedrooms. The sewing room and box room have been conyejrted into bedrooms, and some nurses sleep permanently on the verandah, Thi# cannot go on now the cold weather has set in. The matron has given up’ her room for two nurses. The maternity annexe accounts for, three extra nurses. The house behind the auuexo with cleaning and papering would provide accommodation for six nurses. This would take all the night staff and give them greater quietness for sleeping during the day. Several minor repairs are required at the muses’ home.

“Infantile Paralysis.—Of the 15 casets four are minor and will probably be lie for discharge to their homes without any treatment, at Rotorua. The . others, after reaching the convalescent stage, I would, recommned transferring to Rotorua, where they car receive adequate massage treatment before being discharged." Dealing with the report the chairman (Mr W. E. Hale) said that he favoured the> Balkan, splint being purchased at a cost of £l3 13s. —Agreed to.

Mr McKay said that Messrs Price, Ltd., would gladly place a forge at tne disposal of the board’s engineer in the event of him wishing to manufacture splints.

Mr McKay was warmly thanked for liis offer.

In regard to the removal of the, paralysis convalescents to Rotorua, it was' resolved that the resident isurgeon should visit Rotorua and confer with the medical superintendent there and arrange for the transfer of such children as he considered were suitable for .treatment.

Speaking with reference to. the accommodation, for nurses, the chairman said that the istaff had been necessarily incrased owing to the epidemic. He realised the necessity for increased accommodation, but the board was faced with the financial position. He was inclined tp favour the • recommendation to have the cottage renovated.

Mr Danby agreed, and said that something would have to be done immediately.

Mr Kennedy favoured no extra buddings being considered, as in the event of the hospital district being recast Paeroa might reasonably become the centre of the board s activities. Mr Robinson concurred.

Finally it was decided to call tendens for the renovation of the cottage.

Regarding the provision of an isolation block the chairman said that the Opotiki board had erected a block 65f< by 35ft, with provision for six bedrooms, at a total cost of £l6OO. That information had been forwarded to the department with a suggestion that the board should be allowed to erect a building on similar lines. If the block was increased to double the size of the Opotiki block he was of’ the opinion that it would meet the needs of the district for a long time to come.

It was agreed to await a reply from the department.

In reply to Mr Death the chairman said that if authority was obtained tiie erection would be carried out by loan money. MATRON’S REPORT. The matron reported, inter alia, tha‘ Nurse Barker had taken up acting sister’s duties in the operating theatre, and the arrangement was working satisfactorily. Ten nurses had sat for an examination in anatomy and physiology during the month and all had passed. Maternity Annexe.—There had been no births and no admissions to the maternity annexe during March. The report was adopted. The engineer reported that everything was satisfactory in his department, and was given authority to renew two steam pipes from the boiler to the kitchen. The Native nurse reported having attended 27 Maori and 10 1 European, patients during the month. She had given lectures on typhoid inoculation and vaccination and visited 17 pahs. Approved. The Patetonga district nurse reported that she had attended 15 patients, involving 21 visits, during Ma ••ch. The fees collected totalled £3 Is 6d.