HOSPITAL REPORTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5065, 15 December 1926, Page 1

HOSPITAL REPORTS.

THE THAMES INSTITUTION.

PROGRESS • DURING NOVEMBER. The reports for the month of November were read and approved at Monday’s, meeting of the Thames Hospital Board:— HOSPITAL REPORT. The Medical Superintendent (Dr. W. Sowerby) reported that 47 males and 46 females had been admitted, and 44 males and 31 females; disch®irged, 37 males and 38 females stall remaining at date. Operations totalling 38 had been performed. In the outpatient department 13 had received treatment, involving 61 attendances. Three males, and one fejnale had died. The report also stated that, November had been a heavy month for the nursing staff, particularly in the women’s surgical ward. For two days during the month there had not been an empty bed at the institution. MATRON’S REPORT.

The matron (Miss, K. M. Ansenne) reported at length on domestic staff matters. With regard" to the nursing staff it was reported that Sister Pearce, of Christchurch, who hejd double certificates and was also a masseur, had accepted an appointment, and had taken up duty on December 3.

■At the maternity annexe there were three births during the month, and four patients were admitted. One mother and two babies were in the institution at present.

The matron recommended that sisters should receive four weeks’ leave each year, and nurses three weeks. Most hospitals granted similar leave annually, and some, institutions allowed the nursing staff one day off eajch week. At Thames the practice had been to grant one day’s leave a fortnight, and it had worked satisfactorily.

Mr Danby said he would like to see the nursing staff have a| sufficient number of holidays, and it was desirable to meet the staff wherever possible. There was also the Question of engaging an .additional staff to release the nurses on leave, and then superannuationdifficulties would would arise.

On the motion o'f Mr Kennedy the matter was referred to the nurses’ committee to confer with the matron.

ILLNESS ‘OF SISTER.

. A letter received from the matron advising tjiat a valued official, Sister Claxton, had developed an illness, and it was regretted that she would have to be relieved of all duties as early, as possible. ■A letter was also received from Mr F. H. Claxton requesting that the Board grant his daughter indefinite leave on account of illness. The chairman expressed regret and said that . Sister Cl?ixton was one of the brightest .and most capable sisters possible.

It was decided to grant special leave of absence for a period of 12 months.

COMPLAINT ABOUT BACON.

In a; special report the matron complained of the unsatisfactory, state of the bacon received from the district homes. The. report ‘‘We can never consume more than half a ham as the inside <Jf.it is always bad,, apd at least a quarter, and often more, of .a side of bacon is thrown out for the same reason. I regret having to. complain of this matter again, but wte have had to order the last two hams and sides elsewhere.”

Mr Rowe said that it would be a better proposition to sell the pigs, The agreed and said that there had beqn two or three complaints. The pigs were perfectly healthy and he could not understand why the superintendent was unable to make a success df the curing. After a brief discussion it \vas decided that the pigs be cured at a bacon factory during the summer months. DISTRICT HOMES’. The district homes, Tararu, showed that there were 14 male three female inmates in the institution. NURSE TO NATIVES. The district nurse to Natives (Miss I. M. Jarrett) reported that she had attended and advised 13 Europeans and 22 Maoris at their own homes. PATETONGA DISTRICT NURSE. The Patetoriga district nurse (Mrs L. McNamara) reported having attended 12 cases, ’fees received totalling £1 Bs.